Liverpool unable to handle Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid

Liverpool were left irritated following stunning Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid.

Losing is not something Liverpool are used to this season as evidenced by comments following the defeat to Atletico Madrid. Manager Jurgen Klopp was left irritated by the tactics employed by Diego Simeone. It’s one of the reasons why he felt he needed to take Sadio Mane off.

"“It is obviously a part of football I don’t like,” Klopp said. “The plan tonight was to get Sadio out of the game with a second yellow card. I was afraid that Sadio’s opponent would go down if he took a deep breath on him or something. I don’t want to have this situation and that is why I took him off.”Source: The Guardian"

Klopp was not the only one left feeling that same way. Ballon d’Or runner-up VIrgil van Dijk also criticized Atletico Madrid for the way they played and claimed that they were simply lucky on the night.

"“We conceded the goal from the corner, first chance for them, not even a chance. Bit of luck.The message at half-time was to keep playing. We had the ball most of the game but unfortunately could not create massive opportunities. We still have another 90 minutes left to set it right.It is the way they play. It is a bit of the Spanish football as well and you have to adapt but we knew it and I feel we handled it pretty well.Source: Goal"

Van Dijk may have felt they handled the “Spanish football” well on the pitch but they certainly did not do so off it. The comments after the match are of a team who have gotten used to winning and cannot seem to handle when a game doesn’t go their way.

Atletico Madrid have been playing the type of football they played ever since Simeone took over. It should not have come as a surprise to Liverpool because the thing is it could have been a lot worse.

Despite what Van Dijk said, Atletico Madrid weren’t just lucky. The goal may have been a fortuitous one but they had several opportunities to add to their lead.

Had Alvaro Morata not slipped in front of goal and had the decision-making been better by Marcos Llorente and Diego Costa, Liverpool would have returned to Anfield down by two or three goals.

Down 1-0 heading back to Anfield, Liverpool are still the favorites to go through. But the win for Atletico was significant. Hardly anyone gave them a shot in this tie but they have the lead following the first leg.

They’re going to come out in a similar fashion at Anfield and with momentum. Liverpool are going to need to be at their best or the reigning champions could find themselves with an early Champions League exit.