Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
All the fallout from Anfield
Liverpool are through to the Champions League last-16 two games early, after securing a fourth group-stage victory on Wednesday night courtesy of a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane netted first-half goals for Jurgen Klopp’s side, while Diego Simeone’s men saw their attempts to get back into the game all but disappear after Felipe was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Mane. Both Jota and Luis Suarez saw goals ruled out for marginal offside calls at either end in the second half, while the Reds spurned several other opportunities to move even further clear on the scoreboard.
Ultimately it mattered little, with top spot now guaranteed for Liverpool even with two group matches still left to play, while Klopp was also boosted by the return of Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara after injury - but lost Roberto Firmino in the second half. Atletico, meanwhile, sit third in the group, a point behind Porto who they play in the final gameweek.
50 European games under Klopp
Tonight’s game is the 50th in the Champions League of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool tenure. He has won 30 of the previous 49 and taken the side to two finals.
Klopp becomes just the second Reds manager to take charge of the club on 50 occasions in the European Cup, after Rafael Benitez who led them 76 times.
Klopp on Atletico
Jurgen Klopp spoke about the threat of Atletico Madrid and how difficult he thinks this evening’s clash will be. Writing in the programme notes for the game he said:
They are Spanish champions and when I look at their quality, from front to back, I would expect them to retain their crown and rightly be considered one of the favourites for the competition we play in this evening.
“They are a top top team, one of the world’s most powerful clubs and they consistently perform well. They have our total respect.
“The last time we played each other here, at Anfield, Atletico won the tie but our performance that night was exceptional. Honestly, I have no problem saying it is among my favourites from how we have played in a European game at our home and we’ve been blessed with some special ones.
“You know they will be hungry and determined. So we don’t just have to match that, we need to better it. We know they’ll be streetwise and ruthless. We have to overcome that. We know they’ll give all they have effort-wise from the first whistle to the last. We must work even harder than them.
“Honestly, as much as this game is one of the most difficult to prepare for, it is one I relish. It’s great for us to have this opportunity. Our players feel exactly the same.”
Jordan Henderson urges Liverpool fans to give Luis Suarez a ‘nice reception’
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson admits Luis Suarez played a big role in his own career and believes the former Reds striker deserves the appreciation of Anfield.
The Atletico Madrid player returns to his former home in the Champions League tonight and starts with Antoine Griezmann suspended.
His only other previous visit as an opponent was for the famous 4-0 semi-final comeback against Barcelona when the circumstances of the occasion did not lend themselves to a warm reception either before or after the game.
Jordan Henderson urges Liverpool fans to give Luis Suarez a ‘nice reception’
Suarez returns to the club he scored 82 goals in 133 appearances for on Wednesday evening
Henderson on Suarez
Liverpool captain, Jordan Henderson, has been speaking about his former teammate Luis Suarez saying that the striker was ‘outstanding’ during his time at Anfield.
Suarez scored 82 goals in 133 appearances for Liverpool between 2011 and 2014 and Henderson said:
When Luis was here he was phenomenal for a number of years, he was outstanding. We all know he’s a top player for a long time, who produced so many good moments at Liverpool.
“The fans know that and will appreciate what he did at this football club - I don’t think Luis will be too bothered - so maybe not during the game, but it would be nice after the game for him to get a nice reception from the crowd.”
Atletico’s struggles on the road
Diego Simeone’s men are still seeking a first clean sheet on their travels this season. In La Liga and in Europe combined the Spanish champions have played six away matches and conceded seven goals.
Their most recent away fixture ended in a 2-2 draw at Levante, the side currently second-bottom of Spain’s top division, on 28th October.
Since their March 2020 victory at Anfield, Atlético have played five away games in the Champions League with a record of two wins, one draw and two defeats.
This includes four away fixtures in last season’s competition and the 2-1 victory at Group B rivals AC Milan in September.
Suarez back at Anfield
Luis Suárez will be hoping his return to Anfield tonight ends in happier fashion to his last previous outing here. He returned to his former club with Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League on an unforgettable night.
Barcelona held a 3-0 lead after the first leg and were blown away by Jurgen Klopp’s men who stormed to a 4-0 victory at Anfield to send them through to the Champions League final.
It was one of the greatest comebacks in European football.
Team changes: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Jurgen Klopp makes four changes to the Liverpool side that last faced Atletico Madrid on the 19th October. Andy Robertson and Roberto Firmino both drop to the bench and are replaced with Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota respectively whilst James Milner and Naby Keita are both injured and get swapped out for Fabinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Atletico Madrid boss, Diego Simeone, meanwhile makes three changes. Thomas Lemar is injured and Antoine Griezmann suspended so they are replaced with Angel Correa and Luis Suarez. In defence Jose Maria Gimenez replaces Geoffrey Kondogbia.
Line-ups: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
And here is the Liverpool team, Fabinho returns and there’s a start for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain:
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Salah, Jota, Mane
Line-ups: Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Luis Suarez returns to Anfield and starts for Atletico Madrid, here’s a look at their starting XI, Liverpool’s line-up to follow:
Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Gimenez, Hermoso; Correa, De Paul, Koke, Carrasco; Suarez, Felix
Klopp wants to celebrate with Liverpool fans
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he wants to celebrate European nights like this one with the Liverpool supporters and expects a less than friendly game against Diego Simeone’s men this evening. He said:
We were so happy when we qualified for the Champions League last year, because we knew we would have nights like this,
"So now a night like this is coming and we should celebrate it in a football way together with our supporters.
"Atletico are a good team, incredibly good team and ever since Diego is there, they never played a friendly game, so we should not expect that, but we will give it a try."
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