Atletico Madrid pull off UCL shocker and eliminate Liverpool at Anfield

Atletico Madrid did what no one gave them a chance to do and knocked out the reigning champions.

Atletico Madrid were not having a good season by their own standards. They sit outside the Champions League places in the league and have no chance at the league title.

Many saw their misery compounded when they were drawn against Liverpool in the first knock-out stage of the Champions League. Surely they had no chance against the best team in Europe, running away with the Premier League title.

But for one night in Madrid, the old Atletico appeared and defended a one-goal lead. So much that it annoyed Liverpool players who vowed that the return leg at Anfield would be a different story.

And it was.

Atletico’s defense held up well until late in the first-half when a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross found Georginio Wijnaldum who headed the ball past Jan Oblak. Liverpool brought the tie level and it seemed like we were set for a Liverpool win.

The second-half started the same with Jurgen Klopp’s side having the majority of possession and creating opportunities. But again, Atletico bent but did not break and even found some luck on the way when one of Liverpool’s attempts hit the crossbar.

They were able to hold Liverpool back and force the game into extra time.

It was in extra time where Roberto Firmino scored his first goal at Anfield this season. Surely, that sealed it. Unfortunately for Liverpool, that wasn’t the case.

A simple back pass to Adrian led the goalkeeper to deliver a poor pass and seemingly out of nowhere, Marcos Llorente putting Atletico through on away goals. He scored minutes later to tie the game and Alvaro Morata scored the third to put the final nail in the coffin.

It was a magical night for Cholo Simeone who in this tie had his team playing like the Atletico of old.

After the game, Marcos Llorente said,

"“I scored and that put us through and I cannot describe this feeling. Everyone has congratulated me. I’m very happy and we’re all very happy.”Source: Marca"

Llorente himself has not had the best season since arriving from Real Madrid. He’s come off the bench more often than not but chose the best time to make his presence felt.

Jan Oblak was the team’s other hero making saves when needed and being the keeper they needed him to be. We saw what having a good keeper meant for them and for Liverpool in the other end.

About Oblak, Diego Simeone said,

"“He’s as important as all of the others – [Stefan] Savic, [Renan] Lodi, Felipe, Joao Felix. But I have no doubt that we have the best goalkeeper in the world.”“Just like [Lionel] Messi resolves games offensively, Oblak does it defensively.”Source: Marca"

Oblak kept them in the game as well as the rest of the defenders. While they did allow two goals, their performance felt reminiscent of when Diego Godin was manning that backline.

Everyone on the night worked hard defensively and didn’t let the Anfield atmosphere get the best of them. Even in extra time when their legs could have gone they stuck to their style. Somehow they stayed fresh and were able to score three times despite Liverpool scoring first.

It’s a testament to how much Simeone and his players believed they could get something out of this match. It’s the will of the underdog.

Regardless of whether or not the competition goes on, this is a win that cannot be taken away from Atletico Madrid.