Atletico Madrid manager, Diego Simeone, has admitted regret over his heated confrontation with Liverpool supporters during Tuesday’s dramatic Champions League opener at Anfield.

The incident followed Virgil van Dijk’s 92nd-minute winner that sealed a 3-2 victory for the home side.

Simeone, visibly agitated, reacted to provocation from a section of the home crowd and was eventually sent off.

According to BBC Sport, the 55-year-old confronted the fourth official as stewards intervened before being restrained and led down the tunnel.

Speaking after the match, Simeone acknowledged his behaviour was not befitting of his position.

“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,” he said.

However, the Argentine tactician accused some fans of persistently abusing him.

“It’s not easy to be in the position we are in and receive insults for the whole game,” Simeone added. “I saw the third goal go in, and I turned, the insults continued, and well, I’m a person.”

Simeone compared the issue to campaigns against racism and other forms of abuse in football, insisting managers also deserve protection.

“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.

“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,” he added.

Liverpool secured a narrow win last night at Anfield in a tight contest with the visiting team.

The Reds stormed into an early lead with quickfire goals from Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah inside the first six minutes.

Atletico hit back through Marcos Llorente, who scored twice to level the tie before Van Dijk rose highest in stoppage time to power home the decisive header for the Premier League champions.