Football

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool LIVE: Score and Champions League latest, Saul Niguez GOAL


ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL | SAUL [3]

Liverpool made two changes as they returned to the scene of last year’s Champions League triumph to face Atletico Madrid.

Sadio Mane returned to the starting line-up after his goalscoring cameo as a substitute at the weekend and Fabinho also featured in the last-16 first-leg clash at the Wanda Metropolitano. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita made way.

Atletico, who are currently fourth in LaLiga, welcomed back striker Alvaro Morata from injury. Another former Chelsea forward, Diego Costa, was on the bench hoping to make his comeback from a hernia problem.

Joao Felix, Atleti’s £114million summer signing was out injured, as was England full-back Kieran Trippier.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Vrsaljko, Felipe, Savic, Renan Lodi, Saul, Koke, Thomas, Lemar, Morata, Correa

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane

  • Saul Niguez opens the scoring for Atletico Madrid inside four minutes

ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL

70: One of the most anti-climactic games in history going on in the other Champions League tie. Borussia Dortmund and PSG have managed one shot on target between them after 70 minutes. Bizarrely PSG’s plan of ‘pass it to Neymar’ isn’t working.

UPDATE: And just as I write that – Erling Haaland has given Borussia Dortmund the lead. It’s now 1-0.

68: “Oh get up!” I head over my shoulder. Atletico are wasting time whenever possible with Angel Correa down for some innocuous reason. That’s also the cue for man, myth, legend Diego Costa to start warming up on the sidelines.

66: Liverpool still without a shot on target.

63: Divock Origi isn’t having much luck down that left channel. Twice the substitute has simply overrun the ball over the byline for a goal kick. Atletico have withstood everything Liverpool have thrown at them thus far.

60: Booked! Joe Gomez is a bit eager when challenging Alvaro Morata for the ball on the halfway line and the centre-back is shown a yellow card. Not sure he actually made contact but Morata’s dive was Olympic worthy.

57: This is a bit more like the Liverpool we’ve seen this season. Trent Alexander-Arnold sends in a delightful cross that Stefan Savic just about heads clear with Roberto Firmino lurking in the box. Atletico are camped inside their own area – surely it’s only a matter of time.

54: Diego Simeone going full Diego Simeone on the touchline. Furiously waving his arms to get a reaction from the crowd. He’s right up for this.

Close! Oh Mo! Joe Gomez finds the unmarked Mohamed Salah inside the penalty area with a pin-point cross but the Egyptian glances the header well wide of the target. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak still not had to make a save this evening.

51: What?! Goodness me! I have absolutely no idea how Atletico Madrid aren’t two-goals ahead. Angel Correa reaches the byline after Roberto Firmino lost possession in midfield and pulls the ball back for Sime Vrsaljko. The defender weirdly stands on the ball and goes backwards instead of thumping it.

48: Liverpool returns with a rather casual approach. They pass it around the back for a few minutes before sending it forward for Sime Vrsaljko to thump into orbit. The tactic of ‘pull them out of position’ doesn’t seem to be working.

ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL

45: And we’re back underway.

Who do you call when you need a BIG goal in a BIG game? That’s right, Divock Origi. Liverpool’s European hero replaces Sadio Mane, who looks to have been taken off because of fitness concerns. Marcos Llorente also replaces Thomas Lemar.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL

HT: And that’s the break. The Atletico Madrid players did their best to get Sadio Mane sent off before the break for an innocuous nudge. They all crowded the referee, who to his credit, ignored them. Liverpool trail at the break courtesy of a fourth-minute strike from Saul Niguez. Jurgen Klopp’s side with tons of possession – but very little bite.

45: Angel Correa is booked for taking out Jordan Henderson around the halfway line. Oh, and just to let you now – It’s goalless at the break between Borussia Dortmund and PSG. Awful match by all accounts.

44: It’s just not happening for Liverpool. The neat one-twos that we’ve seen in the Premier League this season aren’t clicking, the passing isn’t crisp and the ideas are lacking.

42: Booked! Sadio Mane is the first in the referee’s notebook when fouling Sime Vrsaljko. Liverpool have conceded quite a few of those fouls when trying to win back possession. Too eager and the Atletico players are only too happy to go down.

39: Corner to Liverpool. Atletico are pretty handy from set-pieces – so this will need to be good. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivers a cross that fails to beat the first man. Poor.

36: Close! A swift attack from Liverpool is close to yielding an equaliser. Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane combine nicely down the left channel before the ball is pulled back to an unmarked Mohamed Salah, whose on target effort is blocked by the head of Felipe.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

33: More possession for Jurgen Klopp’s side in and around the Atletico penalty area but they can’t carve out any chances. That wall of red and white shirts are making life very difficult for the visitors. Steve McManaman think Liverpool need to be more patient – I think they need to be quicker.

30: Half-hour gone and Liverpool still trail. Andrew Robertson and Fabinho both attempt long-range efforts but both send their shots high and wide.

29: Frantic stuff! Alvaro Morata really should give Atletico Madrid a two-goal lead when turning inside and leaving Fabinho for dead. He fires straight at Alisson, who parries it to safety.

The visitors head straight down the other end and have the ball in the net courtesy of Mohamed Salah, but his one-two was with a clearly offside Roberto Firmino. Breathless stuff here in Spain.

26: I didn’t think the dark arts would be in force so early in the two-edged tie, but Renan Lodi has proven me wrong. Mohamed Salah barely touches him and the Brazilian hits the deck in agony. Oh look, he’s fine seconds later.

23: Felipe looks shattered. He’s already down inside his own box gulping down the air after a few sprints. He’s up against Sadio Mane, who may just fancy his chances as the match continues.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

20: Close! Atletico Madrid very, very nearly extend their advantage. The ball is whipped through Liverpool’s six-yard box and a sliding Andrew Robertson manages to hook it away from the lurking Alvaro Morata.

17: Prepare yourselves for 70 minutes of this. Liverpool are bossing the possession statistics and playing deep inside Atletico territory but the Spanish side are seemingly happy to keep it that way. It’s almost as if they’re saying ‘come on, what you got?’

14: Hmmm. Another dreadful delivery from Trent Alexander-Arnold after some promising approach play from Liverpool. Just hasn’t found his range yet on that right channel. The atmosphere must be contributing to that – boos and whistles have been constant when Atletico are out of possession.

11: Not used to seeing that lack of composure from Trent Alexander-Arnold, who strangely looks to lob Jan Oblak from about 25 yards away. Perhaps that was a cross gone wrong but it did look like an effort. Anyway, Liverpool are seeing more of the ball now as Atletico hunker down.

8: Liverpool simply can’t get going. Atletico Madrid are outrunning and out battling Jurgen Klopp’s side all over the park. Diego Simeone has already been told off TWICE for running out of his technical area. He just can’t stand still!

5: So the good news for Liverpool is that they have around 175 minutes to respond. The bad news is that Atletico Madrid have NEVER lost when Saul Niguez has scored. Still thinking about the bad news aren’t you?

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 LIVERPOOL | SAUL

3: GOAL! Well… that wasn’t expected! Atletico Madrid have the lead inside four minutes courtesy of Saul Niguez!

The Spanish side are rewarded for their enterprising start with a corner. Liverpool fail to clear their lines and there’s the midfielder to apply the finish from point-blank range.

ATLETICO MADRID 0-0 LIVERPOOL

1: And we’re underway at a ferocious Wanda Metropolitano. Come on, what else was it going to be like? Atletico in red and white while Liverpool are wearing their… is it black or blue? Well they dark away strip.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

No room for error

Jurgen Klopp has warned there is little room for error as Liverpool resume their Champions League defence in Madrid.

Atletico, who finished second in LaLiga last season, are enduring a difficult campaign this time around – in contrast to Liverpool’s runaway form in the Premier League.

Diego Simeone’s men, who suffered a humbling Copa del Rey loss to third division Cultural Leonesa last month, have failed to mount a challenge this year and are fourth after one win in their last five.

Nevertheless, Klopp is wary of the dangers of a side which under Simeone has twice reached the Champions League final and won a LaLiga title and two Europa Leagues.

“Playing Atletico I would say is one of the most difficult things in the life of a football player,” Klopp said. “If there’s one team where you have to be at your absolute best, it’s Atletico. They give you absolutely no presents. If you work as hard as possible, you have a chance. If you don’t do that, you have no chance.

“The moment you are not 100 per cent concentrated, they close you down with two or three players and then counter-attack. If you are not focused and concentrated in your own offensive play, you will not even have a shot on target because they close the centre so good.”

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Twitter round-up

Khan: Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren fit yet not even on the bench tells you the strength of Liverpool not to mention the upcoming youngsters and Xherdan Shaqiri coming back. Liverpool have a squad as good as any these days.

Stuart: It’s actually staggering when you look at the current Liverpool team and see how many of the players are arguably the best/amongst the best in the world in their position.

Fin: I love how Diego Simeone stays consistent with this 4-4-2, my favourite formation since Sir Alex till date. Rooting for Atletico Madrid. Someone has got to stop those red people!

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Liverpool made two changes as they returned to the scene of last year’s Champions League triumph to face Atletico Madrid.

Sadio Mane returned to the starting line-up after his goalscoring cameo as a substitute at the weekend and Fabinho also featured in the last-16 first-leg clash at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita made way.

Atletico, who are currently fourth in LaLiga, welcomed back striker Alvaro Morata from injury.

Another former Chelsea forward, Diego Costa, was on the bench hoping to make his comeback from a hernia problem.

Joao Felix, Atleti’s £114million summer signing was out injured, as was England full-back Kieran Trippier.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Starting XI

Well Liverpool makes two changes from Saturday’s win over Norwich and you would have to say that Jurgen Klopp fields his strongest possible side.

Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Vrsaljko, Felipe, Savic, Renan Lodi Saul, Koke, Thomas, Lemar, Morata, Correa.

Subs: Adan, Gimenez Llorente, Costa, Vitolo, Carrasco, Hermoso.

Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk Robertson, Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Subs: Milner, Keita, Adrian, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino Origi, Matip.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)

Welcome to Atletico…

Well… they don’t mess about do they? Images of Atletico Madrid supporters ‘welcoming’ their side and Liverpool to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium are flooding through and it looks pretty serious.

Fire, flares and thousands of fans lining the streets around the stadium with police escorts guiding the busses through.

The scene(s)

Champions League holders Liverpool return to the scene of their 2019 triumph tonight when they face Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.

The defending champions and runaway Premier League leaders face a stern test against Diego Simeone’s side.

Tonight will see a clash of styles as Jurgen Klopp’s aggressive pressing and attacking style is put to the test against the defensive, counter-attacking system Simeone favours.

It’s all set up for a cracker in Madrid.

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

Evening…

Hello everyone and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the Champions League as Liverpool visit Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

It’s been a full 70 days (I actually bothered researching that) since the final fixture of the group stages and now we’ve reached the knockout stages.

Atletico, who finished second in LaLiga last season, are enduring a difficult campaign this time around – in contrast to Liverpool’s runaway form in the Premier League.

Diego Simeone’s men, who suffered a humbling Copa del Rey loss to third division Cultural Leonesa last month, have failed to mount a challenge this year and are fourth after one win in their last five.

Surely this one will not disappoint – standby for team news and line ups…

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates

Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League score, team news and updates (Image: GETTY)

ATLETICO MADRID vs LIVERPOOL

Liverpool have no fresh injury concerns for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Atletico Madrid.

Striker Sadio Mane came through unscathed after coming off the bench to score on his return to action against Norwich at the weekend.

Midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri is still sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Atletico Madrid will be missing key personnel against Liverpool such as record signing Joao Felix and Kieran Trippier, while striker Diego Costa is battling to be fit after a back injury he sustained in November.

Top scorer Alvaro Morata, defender Jose Gimenez and captain Koke are all available for the match against Juergen Klopp’s side but have missed large chunks of the season and only recently returned to action.

Liverpool squad: Alisson, Adrian, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Gomez, Matip, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Keita, Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Firmino, Mane, Lallana, Origi, Minamino.





READ SOURCE

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.