The reigning European champion has fallen. At the end of extra time, Atletico Madrid eliminated Liverpool by beating them on their Anfield lawn (2-3). Liverpool had already lost 1-0 in Spain in the first leg.
In pouring rain, the reigning European champion came up against the "Colchoneros" defensive block, just like goalkeeper Jan Oblak, imperial in the Madrid cage (14th, 34th, 38th). But the Slovenian goalkeeper could not do anything on the opening of the score, a stung and powerful head of the Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (43rd), already double scorer against Barcelona a year ago.
The "Reds" then began a seat in good standing of the opponent's cage, even finding the transverse by Andy Robertson (67th) without managing to deceive Oblak.L'Atlético even believed to succeed in the heist in the last minute of additional time with a goal from Saul's head. But the referee logically canceled it for offside (90th + 3) and condemned the two teams to an overtime.
Llorente strikes twice
Liverpool thought they had done the hard part when Firmino scored the 2-0 goal after an impeccable Wijnaldum cross. It was without counting on the incoming Madrid Llorente (94th, 2-0). On a poor recovery at the foot of Adrian, in the center line, the ball is recovered by João Felix who serves the attacker. He shoots straight to the ground to hit the target (97th, 2-1)
On a counterattack, the Reds are slow to replace, Marcos Llorente inherits the ball, weapon of the right at the entrance of the surface and marks at the level of the post (105th, 2-2).
Tirelessly, Liverpool will take the assault on the cages of Oblax. And, tirelessly, they are pushed back. The men of Marco Simone held up against the defending champions and even offered the luxury of scoring a third goal thanks to Morata (120th, 2-3) who gave them the victory.
Anfield is disillusioned: the Champions League will not remain "Reds" this year.
With AFP
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