THE OX PICKS THE LOCK BUT CLINICAL ATLETICO FIND A WAY

NOT for the first time, inadequate goalkeeping costs Liverpool in the Champions League. It happened in the 2018 final with Loris Karius, and it happened here with Adrian. This was a pulsating knockout tie played at an electric pace, and one in which Jurgen Klopp’s side appeared to be in control for large parts. Liverpool came here to score and Atletico Madrid came to defend. At 2-1 up in extra time Klopp’s gameplan was working but a gift from Adrian effectively handed Diego Simeone’s side their ticket to the Champions League quarter-finals. That moment meant it would not be another special night at Anfield. It had been a big call by Klopp to bring in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and drop Fabinho to the bench, but that was a sign of attacking intent. He knew Simeone would put up a wall and say: ‘Go on then, get through that.’ Just when it looked like Atletico would head in at half-time with their 1-0 lead from the first leg intact, Klopp’s men struck, and it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who got the assist. The 26-year-old, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold were working together wonderfully down the right and creating overloads, as per Klopp’s gameplan. To break the deadlock, all three were involved. Alexander-Arnold fed Salah, he passed to OxladeChamberlain and his cross found Georginio Wijnaldum, whose perfectly timed header did the job. Oxlade-Chamberlain was eventually taken off after 82 minutes having run himself into the ground. His contribution left the tie in the balance, and Roberto Firmino’s first of the season at Anfield meant we thought it was done. Atletico keeper Jan Oblak had been good, but Liverpool seemed to be on their way through. Then Adrian made his terrible clearance and conceded a soft strike to Marcos Llorente. Subs Llorente and Alvaro Morata then sealed an agonising night for Liverpool.