Reigning European champions Liverpool are out of the Champions League following a breathtaking Round of 16 second leg clash against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.
Trying to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, Jurgen Klopp’s side came out all guns blazing. But the deadlock wasn’t broken until the 43th minute – Georginio Wijnaldum heading home to put the Reds ahead on the night and level on aggregate.
Liverpool continued to push in the second half, and Andrew Robertson came close to winning it for the English side. However, the left-back's close-range header hit the crossbar.
Jordan Henderson acknowledged the ‘bitter disappointment’ felt in #LFC's dressing room following their @ChampionsLeague exit. https://t.co/lTUao0WTep— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 11, 2020
Jordan Henderson acknowledged the ‘bitter disappointment’ felt in #LFC's dressing room following their @ChampionsLeague exit. https://t.co/lTUao0WTep
So, after 90 minutes of Liverpool pressure – and a defensive masterclass from Atletico – the game eventually went to extra time.
Liverpool must’ve thought they’d booked their place in the quarter-finals when Roberto Firmino put the Reds in front four minutes into extra time.
But a poor clearance by deputy goalkeeper Adrian failed to reach its intended target, and substitute Marcos Llorente slotted home to score a vital away goal for the Spanish outfit.
And when Llorente netted again from the edge of the penalty area just before the halfway point in extra time, the tie was all but over.
As Liverpool pushed up the field in search of goals, their defence was left exposed. Meanwhile, Alvaro Morata raced through to score Atletico’s third with seconds remaining.
Atletico are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2016/17, while Liverpool failed to defend their crown.
Liverpool – Atletico Madrid
Possession
71%-29%
Shots
34-10
Shots on Target
11-6
Corners
16-3
Fouls
17-17
It was a Liverpool onslaught right from the off. The Reds utterly dominated the possession and notched up a baffling number of attempts on goal.
But Atletico Madrid stood firm. Diego Simeone has built his team on a rock-solid defence, and their organisation was almost faultless on the night.
Simeone’s men absorbed Liverpool’s pressure and ultimately pounced on the home side’s mistakes. Despite seeing very little of the ball, Atletico found a way to win.
While Liverpool sorely missed their first-choice goalkeeper at one end, Atletico’s number one was immense at the other.
Jan Oblak made nine saves at Anfield – underlining his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Llorente may have scored twice, but Oblak’s heroics between the sticks surely deserve the man of the match award.
• This was Liverpool’s first home defeat in Europe since 2014 and also their first under Jurgen Klopp.
• The Reds have been eliminated in the Round of 16 for the first time since 2006, while Atletico have advanced from five of their last six UCL knockout ties after winning the first leg.
• Llorente became only the second Atletico player to score twice as a substitute in a single Champions League game.
• Firmino’s extra-time strike was his first goal at Anfield in almost a year – his last coming against Porto in April 2020.