Liverpool will have to go all out in three weeks to prevent premature elimination in the Champions League. The title holder lost the first match against Atlético Madrid with 1-0. Virgil van Dijk and Georginio Wijnaldum were in the starting line-up for Liverpool.
Atlético started: the first chance immediately resulted in a goal. A corner from Koke remained just in front of Alisson Becker’s goal, after which Saúl Ñíguez was the first to shoot from close range. The Madrid storm kept on racing for a moment, after which the team of Diego Simeone closed the pot and played on the counter. Liverpool found it difficult to deal with and had difficulty creating opportunities.
Halfway through the first half, Atlético played the attack again. This provided opportunities for the unfortunate Alvaro Morata, who was not in the race. Mohamed Salah seemed to equalize, but his goal was rejected due to offside.
Liverpool was close to 1-1 in the second half. Salah missed a head chance and a shot from Trent Alexander-Arnold was caught by Jan Oblak. The Reds smoking blood, but on the other hand, were given more opportunities than usual. Angel Correa missed two and Morata should have made it 2-0 twenty minutes before time.
Liverpool had a hard time penetrating the Spanish defense, but Jordan Henderson was very close. The captain just missed the point. Diego Costa made his comeback after three months of injury, but he didn’t shoot Atlético in safer waters. Liverpool never really had a final offensive.
Liverpool Champions League elimination must be prevented on March 11.
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