Atlético Madrid reach the CL quarter-finals with a win after extra time at FC Liverpool. Afterwards Jürgen Klopp shows himself to be a bad loser.
The dream of successfully defending their Champions League title has been shattered for Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC.
In the second leg of the quarter-finals, the German team manager’s team lost 3-2 (1-0, 1-0) to Atlético Madrid after extra time and were eliminated in the first leg after a 1-0 win.
Georginio Wijnaldum (43rd) and former Hoffenheim-based Roberto Firmino (94th) initially put the Reds on course for the quarter-finals, but double packer Marcos Llorente (97th/105th +1) silenced the infamous Anfield, which was fully occupied despite the spread of the corona virus. Álvaro Morata (120.+1) set the final point.
After the end of the FA Cup, Klopp’s team had to bury their next title hope. In the Premier League, however, the sovereign primus is fully on course for the first championship in 30 years and could make the title perfect as early as next weekend.
In typical English rainy weather, the Reds could rely on Jordan Henderson again three weeks after the first duel in midfield. The captain had suffered a thigh injury in Madrid and made his comeback in the starting eleven.
Oblak keeps Atlético in play – then comes Llorentes madness
After a wake-up call from Atlético striker Diego Costa after just 13 seconds, the hosts took over the reins of action. As a lesson from the first leg without a Liverpool shot on goal, the attack was an effort to be more determined.
Almost every dangerous situation arose over the right-hand side of star striker Mohamed Salah. Atlético countered with their usual compactness and dangerous standards – and with Jan Oblak.
The Slovenian goalkeeper parried with a strong reflex against Firmino (37), but the goalkeeper was powerless when Wijnaldum’s powerful header hit the ball into the net.
Klopp loses first CL home game since 2015
Liverpool remained at the helm even after the change of sides. Andrew Robertson, for example, failed to hit the crossbar (66) with a header after Oblak could only fend off a shot from Salah in the centre with the last effort.
In dramatic extra time, Firmino’s header put the Reds back on track, then Atlético took advantage of a weak tee shot from Liverpool substitute Adrián to make it 1-2 and Llorente struck again from 20 metres just minutes later.
Klopp: I am a bad loser
Jürgen Klopp criticized his own team, but also his opponent. The German coach told the BBC that it was difficult to “explain how these goals against the opponents were scored”. Atlético’s defensive style obviously displeased the LFC team manager. “They should be able to play real football,” Klopp said, angrily.
“I don’t understand the football they play with their quality. They could play real football, but they put themselves in the back and counterattack. We accept that of course, but it doesn’t feel right tonight. I realise I’m a really bad loser, especially when the boys are trying so hard against world-class players on the other side who defend with two foursomes.”