Liverpool will not fear having to overturn a
Champions League deficit against Spanish opposition at Anfield, they may thrive on the challenge once more, but they know from one draining night in Madrid that Atlético are no Barcelona. The European champions were beaten by a display of fight, resilience and menace from Diego Simeone’s side. They are qualities
Barcelona lack and Atletico were supposed to have mislaid this season. But no, they are still a Diego Simeone team.
Saúl Ñíguez’s early goal condemned
Liverpool to a rare reverse and maintained Atlético’s record of never having lost a knockout home tie in the Champions League under their Argentinian coach. Liverpool need to rediscover their
Premier League form in the second leg to preserve hopes of a return to Istanbul.