5 talking points as Salah scores twice for Liverpool in Atletico Madrid thriller

Mohamed Salah's exceptional form continued as Liverpool edged out 10-man Atletico Madrid in a Champions League classic.

The Reds picked up where they left off from their dominant win at Watford on Saturday to go two goals up after just 13 minutes in the Spanish capital.

Mohamed Salah's deflected shot and Naby Keita's well-struck volley put Jurgen Klopp's side in control.

However, Atletico punished lax defending to draw level by 34 minutes as Antoine Griezmann nudged Koke's long-range strike past Alisson before finishing an incisive move set in motion by Joao Felix.

But the Frenchman's hopes of a hat-trick were dashed in the 52nd minute as he was shown a straight red card for a high boot which struck Roberto Firmino in the head.

Liverpool piled pressure on their hosts and Klopp made attacking changes in search of a winner, which Salah produced from the penalty spot on 78 minutes after Diogo Jota was fouled.

Atletico thought they then had the chance to level once again with a spot kick of their own, only for the referee to overturn his decision after a lengthy check.

Here are five talking points from Liverpool's pulsating 3-2 victory at the Wanda Metropolitano.

1. Salah sets Liverpool record

Mohamed Salah's deflected shot gave Liverpool the lead

Mohamed Salah is operating on a different level to any player in Europe this season and yet again he was the man to make the difference for the visitors in the Spanish capital.

The Egyptian proved far too much for makeshift left-back Yannick Carrasco - a natural winger - to contain and it took just eight minutes before he skipped infield and rifled a shot on target.

The goal was initially awarded to James Milner after he appeared to divert the effort past Jan Oblak, but replays showed it the ball deflected off Geoffrey Kondogbia's foot.

Salah was therefore credited with the goal and he became the first player in Liverpool history to score in nine consecutive matches.

In the second half, he then took his tally to a sublime 12 goals in 11 games this season by cooly slotting the winner past Oblak from the penalty spot after Diogo Jota was fouled in the area.

2. Keita's mixed evening

Naby Keita scored a fantastic volley but was exposed defensively in the first half

Naby Keita scored a brilliant volley to double Liverpool's lead just five minutes after their opener, pouncing on Felipe's poor clearance to lash beyond Jan Oblak.

The Guinea international has impressed when called on this season, which has been regularly of late given the injuries sustained by fellow midfielders Thiago, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.

Keita scored another great volley against Crystal Palace last month and his attacking flair and ability with the ball at his feet cannot be questioned.

However, his defensive efforts were found wanting against Atletico Madrid and he will be disappointed with how he was beaten by Thomas Lemar and Joao Felix for Atletico Madrid's goals, resulting in his substitution at half-time.

3. Griezmann goes from hero to zero

Antoine Griezmann was back to his best in Atletico Madrid's biggest game of the season

Another player who endured a night of contrasts was Antoine Griezmann.

The Frenchman returned to Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan from Barcelona this summer after two underwhelming and turbulent years in Catalonia.

He is yet to find the back of the net in eight La Liga games this season but scored a brilliant volley against AC Milan in Atletico's previous Champions League fixture to remind fans of his quality.

And Griezmann was back to his best in the first half against Liverpool, wreaking havoc against Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip, both of whom endured uncharacteristically-poor outings.

The World Cup winner first halved the deficit by poking Koke's effort beyond Alisson and then levelled for the hosts with a brilliant finish after Joao Felix's run.

It was the sort of dazzling performance which convinced Barcelona to pay £107million for Griezmann's services two years ago.

Or, at least, it was right up until the moment was sent off early in the second half.

In an instance which epitomised 'hero to zero', Griezmann was shown a straight red card for a high boot which connected with Roberto Firmino's head just seven minutes into the second half.

The original decision appeared harsh, but replays showed it was a reckless, if unintentional, challenge which warranted a sending off.

4. Klopp's changes come up trumps

Jurgen Klopp took decisive action to steer Liverpool to victory

Jurgen Klopp has frustrated Liverpool fans in the past with his reluctance to make changes at half-time or early in the second half.

But the German manager did not dawdle against Atletico Madrid.

Addressing his side's poor defensive display in the first 45 minutes, Klopp introduced Fabinho in place of Naby Keita at half-time.

Then, sensing Atletico were there to be got at, he threw on Diogo Jota and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shortly after the hour mark as the Reds looked to make the man advantage count.

The decision to bring on Oxlade-Chamberlain was a shrewd one given the man he replaced, James Milner, was booked minutes earlier as tensions threatened to boil over.

Meanwhile, Jota - who replaced Sadio Mane - drew Mario Hermoso into a wild challenge to win the penalty from which Mohamed Salah restored Liverpool's lead.

5. Liverpool's sigh of relief

In a game filled with fiery and controversial moments, it was Liverpool who had the last laugh in an incident which is sure to divide opinion for days to come.

Minutes after Diogo Jota was brought down himself, the Portuguese was penalised for felling Jose Gimenez in the Liverpool penalty area.

A spot kick was awarded to the hosts before the referee was summoned to the pitchside monitor.

An agonising check ensued before Daniel Siebert reversed his original decision to the vast relief of Jota, Jurgen Klopp and the travelling fans in the Wanda Metropolitano rafters.

In truth, victory may have flattered the Reds given the shakiness of their defensive performance.

Nonetheless, another three points ensures they maintain their 100 per cent record in European competition this season and extends their lead over Atletico in Group B to five points.