Sadio Mane was livid. Jurgen Klopp departed fuming. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, celebrated it all with a prescient lap of honour.

Liverpool's last visit to the Wanda Metropolitano in February 2020 was perhaps as far removed as possible from the ecstasy that greeted their Champions League final win at the venue 262 days earlier.

Now Klopp and his players make their latest trip to the Spanish capital looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season and take a firm grip on Champions League Group B.

READ MORE: Liverpool add new player to Champions League squad for Atletico Madrid

LIVE: Liverpool news and transfer updates including £59m-rated Lazio midfielder link

READ MORE: Liverpool's lucky escape after £90m transfer deadline day deal collapsed

It won't be easy. The notoriously stingy Spaniards have conceded only twice at home this season and haven't lost in their stadium in Europe since Chelsea won 2-1 at the first Champions League game there in September 2017.

And, of course, Diego Simeone's side have the knowledge of victories in both legs in their last meeting with Liverpool in the first knockout round two seasons ago.

The first leg in Spain was a volatile affair, the atmosphere before and during the match successfully knocking the Reds out of their stride while Atletico's trademark niggly approach saw Klopp substitute Mane at half-time before the Senegalese was sent off, the Reds boss later picking up a booking having allowed his frustration to boil over one time too many.

READ MORE: Neville makes damning Ronaldo and Man United admission ahead of Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk, though, isn't bothered about thoughts of revenge this evening.

"We don't need any extra motivation," he says. "We are playing in the Champions League, the most prestigious cup in Europe.

"The boys worked hard for it last season to make sure we played in the Champions League. We just want to show our qualities and the only thing we use from the games last time is to analyse them.

"We know how tough it's going to be. We will have to be very good to get a good result. We are looking forward to a full stadium again.

"It's always a good feeling to get out there, and personally I enjoy every bit of it.

"The results have been positive, which is what we strive for. But if you look at our games there are still a lot of moments we can improve and want to improve.

"It'll be the same in Madrid. We have to be at our best to get a result. Enjoy the moment but don't take it for granted."

Van Dijk will no doubt have noted he was among many Liverpool players below their best on that last Madrid visit, the defender hounded by the pesky Angel Correa during a difficult first half.

WIN: An iPhone 13 worth £879 with our Kick N Mix grassroots football newsletter

Correa remains chief nark for the Spanish champions, who will nevertheless boast some different if recognisable names in their starting line-up from that night.

Not least in attack, where ex-Liverpool striker Luis Suarez was reunited with former Barcelona team-mate Antoine Griezmann this summer, the France international making a surprise return to the club where he forged his reputation.

The Reds, who have yet to keep a clean sheet against Atletico after six meetings, haven't won in their last seven visits to Spain.

*Pick you LFC team for tonight

A draw, however, would keep Liverpool two points clear of Simeone's side at the top of the group with the teams meeting again at Anfield in a fortnight.

Mohamed Salah will hope to continue the form that has seen him net 10 times in as many matches this season and be widely hailed as the best player in the world, although it would be some ask for Klopp's side to score at least three goals in an eighth successive away match.

For Van Dijk, the plaudits for Salah are long overdue - and should also be directed at other members of the Liverpool attack.

"We know what Mo is capable of," says the centre-back. "He has been showing it already for a long period of time. It's only now that everybody is talking about it and following each other and talking after each other.

"The numbers speak for themselves. He is a fantastic player.

"But we have such a great team. If you look at the game at Watford, Sadio scored his 100th Premier League goal and we should talk a bit more about that in my opinion, it's not something that's normal.

JOHN ALDRIDGE: 'Diogo Jota must accept Liverpool change for trip to Man Utd'

"Bobby (Firmino) coming in after such a long, difficult time and scoring a hat-trick. We have a fantastic squad, a group of players who want to give everything for each other. To see them all shining is something that satisfies us and helps us of course.

"We all have a job to do. Everybody knows their responsibility, and for Mo scoring goals is a big one."

Tonight's referee is Daniel Siebert of Germany. He has taken charge of only one previous Liverpool game, awarding them two penalties in the 4-0 Champions League group stage win over Red Star Belgrade in October 2018.