3️⃣ points as Liverpool taste defeat to monstrous Atlético Madrid | OneFootball

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Phil Costa·18 February 2020

3️⃣ points as Liverpool taste defeat to monstrous Atlético Madrid

Article image:3️⃣ points as Liverpool taste defeat to monstrous Atlético Madrid

It was a tense night in Madrid as Atlético edged past Liverpool 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Here are three points we took from the game …


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Better Caul Saúl

Article image:3️⃣ points as Liverpool taste defeat to monstrous Atlético Madrid

Saúl Ñíguez and the Champions League knockout rounds. Name a more iconic duo.

Atlético Madrid have been way below their usual standards this season but when they needed a lift, a big contribution, Saúl was there to knock home his fifth knockout stage goal – only Antoine Griezmann has more for the club.

Another nice stat for you here: the midfielder has scored ten Champions League goals and all of them were to put Atlético ahead.

On these nights you need players who will stand up and be counted for. Los Coloncheros, thankfully, have Saúl on speed-dial.


Misfiring front three

Article image:3️⃣ points as Liverpool taste defeat to monstrous Atlético Madrid

It’s not often each member of Liverpool’s front three have an off night, but there clearly there is a first time for everything.

Starting together for the first time since January 19, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané and Roberto Firmino failed to muster a shot on target between them for 90 minutes.

Mané was even withdrawn at half-time after an anonymous first-half display, while Salah was hauled off for Oxlade-Chamberlain after struggling to beat the excellent Renan Lodi.

You can excuse games like this – particularly for players who have performed with insane consistency – but this probably wasn’t the occasion for it.


The Atlético way

Article image:3️⃣ points as Liverpool taste defeat to monstrous Atlético Madrid

Diego Simeone spoke about the impact of losing Diego Godín, Gabi and Raul García from his side, who were all known for battling in fierce conditions.

But the likes of Felipe and Thomas Partey embodied the spirit of those fallen warriors with monstrous individual performances.

Felipe made five clearances, three blocks and won all four of his aerial duels, with Thomas Partey winning five tackles (more than anybody on the pitch) and completing three interceptions.

Whenever Liverpool looked like threatening or found space – bang. One of those two were flying in with challenges and they contributed to another famous European win.