UEFA Champions League: Liverpool wins a hard-fought battle against Atletico
Liverpool travelled to the Spanish capital for the UEFA Champions League group stage tie against Atletico Madrid. With both teams in impressive form, a cracking game was up there in the making.
Interestingly, Fabinho didn’t start the game as Naby Keita started in midfield along with captain Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner.
Liverpool continued their blistering form to take a 2-0 lead inside the opening 15 minutes of the game. Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita scored two sublime goals
It was seen, Simeone’s side intentionally set back but it backfired for Atletico Madrid.
However, Atletico Madrid’s patience rewarded them with 2 goals from Antoine Griezmann as both teams tied at halftime at 2-2.
With few minutes gone into the second half, Griezmann was sent off and Atletico were down to 10 men. Atletico deserves full credit for the spirit shown by Simeone’s men as they look dangerous even with a man short on the turf.
But on the 77th minute Hermosa takes down Jota inside the penalty box, and Reds were awarded a Penalty. Cool and Calm Salah slot it past the goalkeeper Oblak to secure all three points for Liverpool.
But the drama in the high voltage game continued as the referee pointed to the penalty in the 81st minute against Liverpool. However, he later decided to revert his decision after the VAR check.
The game showed the defensive flaws for Liverpool. But thankfully for the Reds Alisson Becker made some crucial saves and was the rightful choice for Man of The Match.
The game at Wanda Metropolitano Stadium had everything to make a classic game of football. VAR moments, sending off, and all the goals. Thus, one can say that the game was full of drama.
Even after the final whistle, the cliffhanger continued in the form of no hand shakes between the Managers.
Key numbers from the game
Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid for the first time in the Champions League previous drew twice and lost twice.
Liverpool also ended their losing strike of five matches against Spanish sides previously drew once and lost four times.
Liverpool’s two quick goals inside the opening 13 minutes meant for the first time Atletico Madrid conceded early two quick goals in the Champions League match. They haven’t done it before.
However, it was also the first time Liverpool have scored twice and conceded twice in the first half of a Champions League game.
Under Diego Simeone’s management, it was the first time Atletico Madrid have conceded 2+ goals in a Champions League home game. The last time was in 2009 at Vicente Calderón Stadium where FC Porto defeated 3-0.
On the other hand, Liverpool’s charismatic man Mohamed Salah became the first Liverpool player to score for the ninth consecutive match.
Salah’s two goals in the match means he has now scored 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions so far this season.
Moreover, Salah’s two goals make him Liverpool’s highest Champions League goalscorer.
Thus, he is definitely the best footballer at the moment in the world, isn’t he?
Chmapions League- Atletico Madrid 2 – 3 Liverpool: Post match reaction.
Klopp’s reaction to the remarkably dramatic game:
Yeah, it was. I’m not surprised about that – when these two teams face each other then some drama I would say is guaranteed. Both teams are proper fighting units, are used to fighting for the things they want to reach, and that’s clear
When asked about- Is it the game Liverpool can learn from? Klopp said
Yeah, absolutely. When you win these kind of games you can say that’s the experience we made in the last 46 Champions League games we played together, around about.
Jurgen Klopp on Team’s level of confidence
We are not that confident, to be honest. We know our struggles, we know our problems but we try to ignore them very often. Tonight, two confident teams played against each other and I’m pretty sure if you would measure the confidence of Diego Simeone and me, I’m 100 per cent sure he would win and for the right reasons.
Klopp’s respect for Atletico’s style of play. As the Reds boss said
I respect a lot what they are doing here. I couldn’t do it, I’m not the same guy as Diego. How long is he here? 10 years? Incredibly successful, why should they play the football I like? They play the football they like and that’s all fine.
What’s next for Liverpool
Liverpool will meet their arch-rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford for a super Sunday Premier League clash on the coming weekend. It’s a battle between two of the most historic and successful English clubs.
