Liverpool FC moved into the Champions League Round of 16 ahead of schedule on Wednesday night: the Reds also won the second leg against Atletico Madrid. In 2-0, Alexander-Arnold shone as a ready.
Set the winning path for Liverpool early: Diogo Jota.
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After 45 minutes, the match was decided at Anfield Road – although it showed significant similarities to the first leg, which Atletico won 2-2 in the second half. This time Rojiblancos did not recover from their early 2-0 deficit and got the red card before the break.
But first things first: Atlético started the game with the confidence of winning 3-0 at home against Betis and were by no means late. Joao Felix, who slipped into the starting lineup for the position Griezmann, passed the ball for the first time from a promising position (4).
Liverpool shows how efficiency works
Liverpool showed efficiency shortly thereafter when the Rugiblancos did not enter duels and Diogo Jota headed Alexander-Arnold’s cross into the left corner (13). Eight minutes later, the 2019 Champions League champion followed, and again it was Alexander-Arnold who was poised – this time with a failed shot, which Mane skillfully led into the right corner.
Liverpool were by no means full and pressed to make it 3-0, but Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah and Diogo Jota couldn’t get past Oblak (23, 42). Atlético, who were rarely offensively strong, also made life difficult for themselves: Felipe saw the red card for a kick in the Achilles of Mane (36th place).
In the majority, Liverpool increased shortly after the break, but after a pass from Matip Diogo Jota it was just offside – the VAR conceded the goal (48). Same pattern on the other side: Once again, Matip was in focus because he unfortunately turned a shot from Suarez to his own goal – but Jimenez was way ahead of him previously (57th place).
Group victory is already certain
In the past half hour, it wasn’t really exciting in front of the gates. However, Klopp’s anxiety deepened – again due to injuries: both Roberto Firmino (who just got a break) and Oxlade-Chamberlain (who replaced the injured Keita at the weekend) had to give up prematurely.
In the end, there was a deserved win, albeit a lackluster 2-0 for Liverpool after the break. The Reds have won all four of the Champions League matches this season and have gone unbeaten 25 official matches. The ticket for the round of 16 has already been booked and the first place is guaranteed, because the “stalker” Porto (1:1 in Milan) has only five points in the account.
Goals and cards
1: 0Diogo Jota (13′, vertical, Alexander Arnold)
2: 0mani (21 min, left-footed shot, Alexander Arnold)
Liverpool
Atl. Madrid
referee team
game info
Liverpool will continue in the Premier League at West Ham on Sunday (5:30 pm), and Atletico play Valencia on the same day (4:15 pm).
