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Liverpool hosted Atletico Madrid in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at Anfield, as they aimed to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the Wanda Metropolitano last month. In what was an exhilarating encounter that was settled in extra time, Diego Simeone's men rallied back from two goals behind to produce a stunning 3-2 victory at Anfield, as they scored 3 goals in borrowed time to seal qualification to the quarterfinals.
The reigning European champions were beaten on their own turf despite a spirited showing, as Atleti capitalized on every opportunity that was presented to them to record a memorable victory. With Alisson Becker missing with a hip injury, Adrian San Miguel donned the gloves for the Reds and his catastrophic error triggered the comeback for the visitors, who were 2-0 behind at the time owing to goals from Gini Wijnaldum and Roberto Firmino.
The La Liga outfit snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, as substitutes Marcos Llorente and Alvaro Morata all scored goals in extra time to produce a famous comeback victory.
Liverpool dominated proceeding from the opening exchanges and took a deserved lead in the first half, as Wijnaldum got on the end of the pinpoint cross from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the right flank to break the deadlock. The Dutch international, who has a history of popping up with crucial goals in the competition, was at it once again, as his header found the back of the net past the despairing dive of Jan Oblak.
The Slovenian international was tested several times throughout the game and he made a string of top-class saves to keep Atleti in the tie before the Reds struck a telling blow in extra time. Roberto Firmino, who hadn't scored at Anfield since April 2019, put the reigning European ahead with a close-range finish.
Llorente, who came on as a late substitute, scored the goal that turned the tables shortly afterwards, as Adrian was made to pay for his horrible pass from inside his area. The former Real Madrid midfielder added another from outside the box to seemingly seal the tie for his side.
As Jurgen Klopp's men attempted to force the occasion on the other end, Morata added gloss to the result with another goal in the dying moments of the game. As Liverpool were eliminated from the competition in a whirlwind 30-minute spell, here are 3 talking points from a topsy turvy encounter at Anfield.
#3 The ghosts of Kyiv haunt Liverpool once again
Liverpool looked all set to continue their defence of the European Cup, as Roberto Firmino's extra-time strike put them in pole position to secure qualification. However, Adrian's costly error not only triggered an unlikely comeback but also ensured that the Reds were made to revisit old wounds, as there were striking parallels between the Spaniard's capitulation on the night and Loris Karius' horror show in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid.
While Karius committed two high profile errors at Kyiv two years ago, Adrian first gave away the ball cheaply and was beaten seconds later rather easily, as Liverpool missed Alisson Becker's presence between the sticks. With the Brazilian, who is widely regarded as one of the best in the business in goal, it could be argued that the Reds could have seen off Atleti's threat, as they were made to pay on the night in devastating fashion.
Such ties are often decided by the finest of margins, and while Adrian's errors came back to haunt Liverpool, Jan Oblak was the saviour on the night for Los Rojiblancos, as he produced several high profile saves and enhanced his status as one of the best shot-stoppers around.
The gulf of class between the two goalkeepers was brought to the forefront and Liverpool were reminded of their ghosts from the past, as they were eliminated from the competition under excruciating circumstances.
#2 Simeone ends Klopp's unbeaten record in European knockout ties at Liverpool
As the seemingly unstoppable force of Liverpool locked horns against the immovable object that is Atletico Madrid, two stunning European records were at stake. Going into the game, Diego Simeone's side had never been knocked out of the competition by a team not involving Cristiano Ronaldo, Jurgen Klopp was unbeaten in 10 European knockout ties as Liverpool manager, a record that was effectively ended by the La Liga outfit.
Despite going a goal behind on aggregate and two goals behind on the night, Atleti not only completed a stunning comeback and secured qualification, but also put the seal on a stunning smash and grab performance in extra time, as they won the game on the night owing to a late Morata goal.
In his time at the Spanish capital, Simeone has often been slated for his footballing philosophy and the masters of the dark arts were at it once again at Anfield, as they resorted to their usual game plan and snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Klopp will take encouragement from the fact that his side gave it their all for the entirety of the game, but his perfect European record at the Merseyside club was finally blemished by an experienced manager who also happens to be a seasoned veteran in the competition.
#1 The final result paints an improper picture
While one cannot argue with the fact that Atletico Madrid punished Liverpool duly and deservedly secured qualification to the quarterfinal stage of the UEFA Champions League, the Reds produced a stunning performance until Adrian's gaffe and looked set to cap it off with a hard-fought victory.
It wasn't to be the case, as they were beaten 3-2 on the night; a result that represents Jurgen Klopp's first loss in a two-legged European tie as Reds boss, his first loss at Anfield in the Champions League and Liverpool's first defeat in the competition at the historic venue since Real Madrid's 3-0 triumph in 2014.
Liverpool dominated the game for 97 minutes but capitulated after an error from their goalkeeper, as they were punished emphatically by an Atletico Madrid side who pulled off a major heist at Anfield. The home side did not the reap the rewards their performance warranted, a thought that was also echoed by the gaffer,
"I loved the way we played in the 90 minutes, we played exceptionally well - for two and a half years we have had an exceptional ride in the CL. Tonight, crowd exceptional, boys fought hard!"
Klopp vowed that his side would be back stronger than ever next season and with the Reds on the cusp of domestic glory, they still have a lot to look forward to this season, as they inch closer to breaking their 30-year league title drought.
