Liverpool clip 10-man Atletico
Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool took advantage of Antoine Griezmann’s red card to beat Atlético Madrid 3- 2 in a Champions League thriller yesterday. Griezmann had already scored twice to help Atlético recover from a poor start, but then he was sent off with a straight red card early in the second half for hitting Roberto Firmino’s head with his foot while trying to reach for the ball. Liverpool capitalised on the advantage with Salah scoring the winner from a penalty kick in the 78th minute. The Egypt forward has scored in nine straight games for Liverpool in all competitions, becoming the first player to do that in the club’s 129-year history. Atlético had a penalty a few minutes after Liverpool’s : third goal but it was reversed after video review.
Naby Keita also scored for Liverpool in the first half as Liverpool took a 2-0 lead as early as the 13th minute at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
The result left Liverpool at the top of Group B with nine points from three matches, five points more than Atlético.
The English club was in control early and quickly built their lead at the Metropolitano.
Salah opened the scoring in the eighth minute after picking up a ball on the right flank and manoeuvring past three Atlético defenders before sending a low shot into the corner. The goal was initially awarded to James Milner who slightly redirected the ball.
Keita added to the lead five minutes later with a neat volley that curled in by the post. Atlético defender Felipe mishit his clearing shot and the ball went straight to Keita for his one-timer from just outside the area.
Atlético had never conceded in the first 15 minutes of a match since coach Diego Simeone took over in late 2011, and never in its Champions League history, according to Stats Perform.
Griezmann pulled the hosts closer with a redirection from close range in the 20th after Koke Resurrección sent a low shot across the area, then equalised after a good run by João Félix for his sixth double with Atlético in the Champions League, the most by any player for the club.
Griezmann’s performance was marred by his red card in the 52nd as he went for a high ball but hit the side of Firmino’s head instead. Before leaving, Griezmann apologised to Firmino, who was making his 300th appearance with Liverpool.
Salah scored the winner from the penalty spot after Atlético defender Mario Hermoso shoved Diogo Jota following a long ball sent into the area.
Other results: Club Bruges 1 Manchester City 5; FC Porto 1 AC Milan 0; Besiktas 1 Sporting Lisbon 4; Ajax 4 Borussia Dortmund 0; Inter Milan 3 Sheriff Tiraspol 1; Shakhtar Donetsk 0 Real Madrid 5.