Goals inside the first 21 mins from Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane gave the Spanish champions a mountain to climb even earlier than Felipe became sent off before 1/2-time for a cynical hack on Mane. Maximum factors from 4 games is enough to win Liverpool Group B and guarantee home gain in the 2d leg of their closing-sixteen tie come the new yr. Atletico however have a struggle to attain the knockout tiers as they take a seat 0.33, one factor in the back of Porto with two games to play.
When the edges remaining met at Anfield 20 months in the past, Atletico's dramatic more-time victory to attain the Champions League zone-finals changed into overshadowed by using the looming hazard of coronavirus. That proved to be the very last pinnacle-degree in shape in England for three months and the ultimate in the front of a full crowd for over a year.
The Liverpool help had no longer forgotten the bad blood that brewed between the groups from that tie and the Reds' 3-2 win inside the Spanish capital two weeks ago. Luis Suarez was roundly booed on his return to Anfield, while Atletico educate Diego Simeone became mocked as his aspect capitulated before 1/2-time.
Liverpool supervisor Jurgen Klopp has no longer hidden his distaste for the cautious fashion Simeone's Atletico have emerge as synonomous for. However, the Argentine turned into aghast on the touchline at a number of the visitors' protecting throughout the first 45 mins. Just like their meeting in Madrid, Liverpool have been 2-zero up within the first sector.
Jota without difficulty escaped the attention of Felipe to have a free header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross to open the floodgates. Alexander-Arnold become also the writer for the second one goal as this time his shot became grew to become beyond Jan Oblak via Mane. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain then fired a shot inches huge as Liverpool threatened to run rebellion and Atletico misplaced their heads.
Felipe notion he would escape with a reserving when he took a swipe at Mane to halt a counter-assault within the Liverpool half of. But Dutch referee Danny Makkelie decided in any other case as he produced a instantly pink for the Brazilian defender and became sponsored up by means of his colleague inside the VAR booth. VAR did intervene to disclaim both aspects a intention in the 2d length for offside. Jota had simply strayed past the closing defender whilst he slotted beyond Oblak. Suarez was then denied a sweet moment to silence the boos when his deflected attempt became dominated out for offside in opposition to Jose Maria Gimenez.
Atletico could have been on the cease of a similar 5-zero thrashing to the only Liverpool dished out to Manchester United 10 days in the past had Klopp's men been as clinical as they have been at Old Trafford. Oblak spread himself to ensure Mohamed Salah did not score for the first time in a Champions League game this season earlier than Joel Matip and Jota didn't hit the goal with simple probabilities.
However, goals and 4 instantly victories to obliterate what on paper looked a tough organization alongside Porto and AC Milan have finished sufficient to send out a warning that the 2019 winners are returned a few of the contenders to win the Champions League.
