Liverpool take on Atletico Madrid tonight in the first leg of their round-of-16 Champions League tie at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone was full of praise for the reigning European champions in the build-up to the contest, saying Liverpool would “go down in history” as one of the great Champions League teams, while Jurgen Klopp was complimentary in his assessement of the Spanish side.
Liverpool come into the tie as favourites, given their place at top of the Premier League while Atletico are fourth in La Liga, but Simeone’s team have made a habit of disrupting the flows of attacking sides in the past and the Reds must be wary of stubborn defence. Follow all the latest action live:
36′ – Big chance for Salah! Firmino and Wijnaldum combine in the area and it’s poked through to Salah in a central area, but his shot is blocked by Felipe’s head and flies over.
32′ – Liverpool dominating possession and territory, but much of their ball work is coming around 10 yards outside Atletico’s area. The crossing hasn’t been on-point yet this evening and Simeone’s team have been resolute in defence so far.
29′ – Nearly half an hour played and Liverpool have their first shot – Andy Robertson sends one wide with his right foot from 25 yards.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
26′ – Salah has the ball in the net, but it’s disallowed immediately for offside. A bad clearance goes straight to the forward, his control flies about 20 yards forward and Firmino has to pass it back to Salah before he can tuck home, but the Brazilian was well offside.
25′ – Big save from Alisson! Van Dijk’s headed clearance goes straight to Morata, he turns Fabinho and shoots low – saved by the keeper!
23′ – Felipe is down but not needing treatment. Perhaps a result of a chase with Henderson a moment ago. Fabinho is clattered in the air by Morata and Liverpool can keep the pressure on.
20′ – Renan Lodi sends a brilliant cross over which is set to meet Morata at the far post – but Robertson makes a great sliding interception to hook the ball away. This corner is defended better, with Alisson gathering up.
16′ – Atletico have never lost a Champions League knock-out match at home under Simeone. Liverpool have never lost a two-legged tie in any European competition under Klopp. Will either statistic give over the 180 minutes?
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
13′ – Another cross into the crowd from Alexander-Arnold, with two waiting for the ball into the middle. Liverpool have Atletico pinned back now, two banks of four on the edge of their own box. Very compact, very organised from the home team.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
10′ – Firmino wins possession for Liverpool in the Atletico half, but a first crossing chance for Trent Alexander-Arnold ends in a wayward delivery. The away team just starting to settle a little now on the ball.
Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool
6′ – In games with a full-strength team, that’s the first goal Liverpool have conceded since Wolves, just under a month ago. What a boost for Atletico, who have started really well. Correa races away down the left channel and puts a ball along the six-yard box, but nobody is there and he’s flagged offside anyway.
Atletico Madrid 0-0 Liverpool
2′ – Jeers from the home side as the Reds earn some early possession. A few early nerves on show too perhaps, judging by one or two overhit passes.
This could be the first of several epic encounters across the last 16. Which way will this 90 minutes go though? Atletico surely need something positive, given how strong Liverpool are at home. On the other hand, if the Reds play as they usually do, they could dominate enough to get chances and score one or two themselves.
The two managers are among the most admired in European football these days. Both demand lots of work ethic, both have won major titles. Both want a win tonight.
In European games, no player has scored more than two goals and no player has made more than one assist so far this term.
Domestically, though, Angel Correa has been a big performer for them, often up front instead of his old role as a battling right-sided outlet. Four goals and five assists in LaLiga showcase his importance and they’ll need him dropping into the channels tonight, with Morata not yet fully fit.
Let’s look at a few potential key performers tonight…
Roberto Firmino is crucial to this Liverpool team and all ten of his goals this season have come away from Anfield. One tonight will be 40th away goal for the club! He hasn’t scored in the Champions League this season, but he does have three assists – that’s the highest in the squad.
It’s worth noting that, for all their reduced efficiency and form this season, at home Atletico are still tough to beat. Only Real Madrid and Barcelona have left with victories from Atleti’s last 40 home games.
When is the match
The match kicks off at 8pm at the Wanda Metropolitano.
What TV channel is it on?
The game will be broadcast to BT Sport subscribers on BT Sport 2.
Viewers can also access coverage online via the BT Sport app.
Prediction
Liverpool to be too good for Atletico and hurt them with their pace, winning 1-0 in a game of few chances.
