Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone admits 'regret' over Anfield confrontation but wants 'consequences' for Liverpool fans

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was sent off on Wednesday night after Virgil van Dijk's 92nd-minute winner in their UEFA Champions League tie sparked a confrontation between the Argentinian manager and Liverpool fans. Speaking in a press conference after the match, Simeone said he should not have reacted, but he hit out at the behaviour of fans towards coaches.

Van Dijk outlines how Liverpool 'found a way' to beat 'aggressive' Atleti

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Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has admitted his "regret" after being involved in a confrontation with Liverpool fans towards the end of his side's 3-2 defeat on Wednesday night.

Liverpool had taken an early 2-0 lead at Anfield in their Champions League league phase opener, with Andy Robertson scoring first after four minutes, and Mo Salah adding another two minutes later.

Marcos Llorente struck twice for the visitors, first in first-half added time, and then on 81 minutes, and it appeared as if Atleti had done enough to earn a share of the points after coming close to defeat.

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However, Liverpool benefited from yet another late goal when their skipper Virgil van Dijk headed in the 92nd minute to earn all three points and deny Simeone’s men a draw.

At that point, the Argentinian coach seemed to be goaded by a group of Liverpool fans sitting close to him.

Simeone complained to the fourth official, and match stewards stood between the fans and the manager, with Simeone ushered away from the supporters as the argument continued.

Highlights: Van Dijk heads late winner as Simeone sees red

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He was then sent off and left the game early through the tunnel, and speaking at a post-match press conference, he acknowledged that he had been at fault to respond as he did.

The 55-year-old said: "Firstly, I regret the part I played. It's clear we are in a position where we do not have the right to react, and it is not good when we react."

However, he added that he felt that the situation he had to endure reflected a general sense of antagonism that he thought should be addressed.

He continued: "We [managers] are in a position where we are protagonists or standard-bearers, so in the same manner that we fight against racism and insults in stadiums today, we could also fight on behalf of the managers, against the insults we receive throughout the whole game.

"It's not easy to be in the position we are in and receive insults for the whole game. I saw it from far away after the third goal. I saw the third goal go in, and I turned, the insults continued, and well, I'm a person."

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When pressed on what the nature of the insults were, he responded: "The truth is I cannot remember exactly. I don't want to enter into the situation.

"The thing I have is that I have to maintain my position. I need to know how to withstand everything that happens in front of the dugout, and know I cannot fix society.

"I, and whichever manager, has to live with this because it happens all of the time. My reaction isn't justifiable, but do you know what it is like to be insulted for 90 minutes?

"I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences."

Liverpool next play Everton in the Premier League early kick-off at Anfield on Saturday, while Atletico travel to Mallorca for their away match in La Liga on Sunday.

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