Liverpool’s reign as Champions League holders is over at Atletico Madrid won 3-2 at Anfield to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Atletico headed into the second leg of this last – 030 tie with a 1-0 advantage courtesy of their win in Madrid, but Georginio Wijnaldum ‘s first-half header sent the sides in level 1-1 on aggregate with 59 minutes left to play.
Jan Oblak was in superb form with save after save to deny Jurgen Klopp ‘s Liverpool, and the game went into extra-time.
Roberto Firmino put Liverpool in front four minutes into extra-time, but a big call from Diego Simeone was to prove drastic.
Simeone took off Diego Costa 90 minutes in, prompting a furious reaction from the forme Chelsea striker. His replacement, however, made the difference – Marcos Llorente cancelled out Firmino’s strike in the seventh minute of extra-time to put Atletico ahead on away goals following an error from Adrian.
Llorente then struck on the stroke of half-time in extra-time to leave Liverpool needing two goals to progress, but Alvaro Morata scored with seconds left to seal a 4-2 aggregate win and end Liverpool’s Champions League defense.
Jurgen Klopp says his players played exceptional for the minutes – and the German has also taken aim at Atletico’s style of play, saying they have the quality to play better football.
Full reaction to come shortly – you don’t want to miss it .
Henderson on Oblak and Atletico …
“The way they play it’s hard to play against, they defend really well. But I think we created lots of chances to score and it’s not like they defended against us. We’re just disappointed not to get the result and now we’ve got to use it and react in the right way. ”
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson reacts to their Champions League exit, speaking to BT Sport:
“Obviously, we ‘re really disappointed. I felt the performance overall was very good, the intensity. We spoke before game about that and we put everything into it. We’re disappointed with goals we conceded, but the performance is something we’ll be pleased with . ”
“We’ve experienced it over last three years, you’ve got to be focused at all times and any lapse in concentration can cost you. ‘re really disappointed because I felt with the performance, we deserved to go through.
“We’re really disappointed to be in the position we were in and concede the goals we did. We’ve got to take it on the chin. “
Atletico’s Kieran Trippier speaks to BT Sport:
“We knew it was going to be very difficult, Liverpool are a strong side. We knew we had to keep our shape and frustrate them as much as we could. We kept on believing and going and going, and we got the win.
“Liverpool are very strong at home and we had to stick together, to keep our defense shape. We knew we’d get our chances and we were just clinical, that’s what it’s all about, taking your chances. “
Simeone tactics “The way we played tonight is the way we train. The way he is on the touchline is the way he is in training. It’s a joy to work with him. ”
Move to Atletico (
We need a breather after that – and perhaps Simeone does too!
But don ‘ t go anywhere. We’ll have all the reaction from Anfield coming up shortly.
(FULL TIME)
FULL TIME | Liverpool 2-3 Atletico Madrid aet (2-4 on aggregate)
Frankly, there haven’t been many more dramatic extra-time periods than this.
Liverpool were going through at 9. pm . Now they’re out after Llorente’s double and Morata’s late strike.
The holders are out of the competition and it’s their first defeat at Anfield in any competition since September
(Photo: Getty
(GOAL!)
Liverpool 2-3 Atletico Madrid | Alvaro Morata ( 1 ‘
The icing on the cake! Morata bursts through the middle and slots past Adrian to pile on the misery.
Off goes Simeone towards the Atletico end again. What a turnaround!
YELLOW CARD
The two players square up and both go into the book. Mission accomplished for the striker there.
Milner stands his ground and Oblak goes over the top of him. Free-kick to Atletico.
It’s not happening for the Reds in front of goal, just like it hasn’t all night.
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The Japanese has struggled to make an impression so far since joining Liverpool. But he’s got seven minutes to do something here, replacing Firmino.
(Photo: Getty
Time is running out for the home side, but the fans are doing their best to urge them on .
The whistle had already gone for a foul, but it just sums up how incredible he’s been tonight.
ES COVERAGE
“Amazing scenes at Anfield as Atleti keeper Oblak ran the length of the pitch to join in the celebrations. “
He’s been the differen ce tonight.
(KICK OFF)
SECOND HALF | ET
We’re back underway at Anfield.
Liverpool need two goals in minutes. Will they do it?
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Klopp sends on Fabinho and Divock Origi for Henderson and Wijnaldum, while Atletico have sent on Jose Gimenez for Correa.
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