Last night’s Champions League took an amazing turn in the extra time of the game when Atletico Madrid’s substitute Marcos Llorente scored two goals as his team earned a 3-2 second-leg win to knock out the defending champions Liverpool at the Anfield itself where Liverpool reigns superior.
Liverpool was always been preferred to be the favourites to win the match in front of their home crowd but Diego Simeone’s side proved them wrong in the extra time of the match. Obviously, no one can deny the world-class saves that Jan Oblak made to keep Liverpool to their toes.
Roberto Firmino did put Liverpool ahead in the tie for the first time with an early goal in the extra time. But Simeon’s substitute Llorente, who came during the second half capitalised on an Adrian error to swing the game back in Atleti’s favour and in just eight minutes score another spectacular goal to seal the win for Atletico.
To make thins sweeter, Alvaro Morata did score another goal to make it 3-2 thus leaving no options for Liverpool to win the game. Even though Liverpool, who failed to register a single shot on target in the first leg, did play aggressively throughout the 90 minutes and did test Oblak for the first time through Wijnaldum’s fifth-minute header.
Oblak had a hard time against the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino as Liverpool desperately chased for a goal to level up the tie.
Atletico did keep their composure, defending Liverpool and Oblak with some incredible saves, on the other side, Adrian reacted well to Angel Correa but Liverpool also turned up the heat as Robertson headed against the woodwork after Mohamed Salah’s shot looped into the air.
Simeone’s side did think that they’ve won the game from Saul’s 93rd-minute header but was ruled offside which later gave Firmino the chance to head against the post with his first effort and ultimately converting it to goal in the rebound.
Adrian’s poor clearance proved costly as Llorente sent the ball out of the stand-in beyond the keeper’s reach, and the midfielder, who looked confident last night, jinked inside Jordan Henderson to curl home from 20 yards for his second.
Liverpool was desperate to score the two goals to win the game in the second half of the extra time, but Morata took the advantage of some space at the back and made it 3-2 for Atletico with another piece of questionable goalkeeping from Adrian.
The Spanish team showed their worth under the leadership of Diego Simeone who are really struggling in their own league but ultimately at the end of the day, Atletico has defeated the best football in the world in the knockout stage at their home and this is a record.
Atletico broke Liverpool’s unbeaten run at home in all competitions since September 2018, thanks to the heroics of Oblak and Llorente. This match created some records as well, as this was the first time Liverpool have failed to progress from a two-legged tie in European competition (including qualifiers) under Klopp.
This was the first home European game that Liverpool lost at Anfield for the first time under Klopp and this is the first time ever that Liverpool has lost both legs in a Champions League knockout tie for since the last-16 stage in 2005-06 vs Benfica.
Also, this was the first-ever Champions League game to see four goals scored in extra time and Marcos Llorente is only the second-ever Atletico player to score twice as a substitute in a Champions League game after Sergio Aguero vs Chelsea in November 2009.
This leaves Liverpool chasing the dream of Premier League cup only which they can win with a victory over rivals Everton on Monday only if Manchester City lose to Burnley on Saturday.
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