Diego Simeone was handed a red card after flying into a rage which appeared to be sparked by a Liverpool fan in the crowd in chaotic scenes after the Reds’ late winner against Atletico Madrid.
The long-time LaLiga manager was forced to watch his team’s full-throated comeback was left in ruins thanks to the latest of goals by Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk.
As Anfield went wild however, Simeone seemed incensed by the crowd behind him, and was seen engaging with a passionate fan on the sidelines.
Taunted by the jubilant home faithful, the Argentine was held back by stewards, but wrestled free of the grip of his coaching team to appear to make an obscene middle-finger gesture at fans in the stands.
Simeone was eventually being handed a red card by referee Maurizio Mariani, and dismissed with seconds left to play at Anfield.
On commentary for TNT Sports, Darren Fletcher watched with amazement as Simeone departed down the tunnel.
Diego Simeone tussled with jubilant Liverpool fans after the latest of winners from Virgil van Dijk in added time
The Atletico Madrid manager had to be restrained by his own coaching team and stewards during the touchline clash
Simeone gestured furiously at referee Maurizio Mariani but was handed his marching orders
‘Simeone’s in the crowd!’ the commentator informed the viewers – and co-pundit Ally McCoist. ‘He’s absolutely lost the plot. I don’t know what’s been said to him.’
Fletcher added: ‘I think he feels like he’s been wronged in some way, by the people on that side – all we do know is that he’s been sent off.’
When asked why he had responded in that way, Simeone told Movistar Futbol: ‘They insult you throughout the match and it’s not that easy.
‘I hope a club like Liverpool can improve this and when they identify the person, they face the consequences.’
He added in his press conference later that he regretted not holding in his emotions, as per TNT Sport.
But Steve McManaman on commentary duties said that he ‘didn’t mind’ Simeone’s outburst, noting that the atmosphere was ‘highly charged’.
‘He gives as good as he gets, Diego Simeone, and that’s why people like him around the world.
‘He’s very passionate, he sticks up for side, and some Liverpool fans seem to be gesticulating at him.
Simeone said after the match that he hoped Liverpool’s fans would ‘improve’ their behaviour
Atletico Madrid came close to opening Champions League win before being beaten late on
‘But he doesn’t speak English anyway, so I don’t know how he understands them,’ McManaman teased.
Simeone might have thought an all-important point in his first league phase tie was in the bag after an impressive comeback after the Reds started proceedings on top.
Andy Robertson put the hosts ahead in just the fourth minute, with Mohammed Salah netting a second two minutes after that.
But after Liverpool saw a penalty shout overturned by VAR in the 36th minute, momentum began to swing towards the visitors.
Marcos Llorente scored for the Spanish side three minutes into added time, before adding a second to his tally in the 81st minute.
But with moments to go on the clock, Van Dijk stepped up and forced a towering headed past Jan Oblak to see Arne Slot’s side claim victory in the most dramatic of fashion.
