The chance of winning back to back Champions League titles is over for Liverpool. The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League with a 3-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their round of 16 tie on Wednesday at Anfield.
After losing the first leg, 1-0, in Spain, Liverpool finished regulation of the second leg up 1-0 to force extra time. Atletico Madrid got two goals from substitute Marcos Llorente in the first period of extra time to advance 4-2 on aggregate and send the reigning champs packing in a stunning result.
The Reds were without superstar goalkeeper Alisson due to a hip injury, and backup Adrian struggled, giving away the first goal with a poor clearance before getting beat too easily on the second. On the other side, Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak was one of the heroes of the night, making a number of crucial saves to help his team move on.
Liverpool recorded 34 shots to Atletico’s 10 yet wasn’t able to do enough despite also having 72 percent possession.
Georginio Wijnaldum scored the only goal in regulation on a header in the 43rd minute to force extra time, and things were looking up for the hosts when Roberto Firmino made it 2-0 in the 94 minute. But it was this goal from Llorente off a terrible Adrian error that ended up being the decider.
Llorente scored again nine minutes later before Alvaro Morata slammed the door shut in the 121st minute.
The loss means the Reds are now only in contention in the Premier League. Liverpool was bounced by Chelsea in the FA Cup last week. This was the first time Liverpool failed to advance from a two-legged tie in European competition under Jurgen Klopp after advancing in all 10 previous situations. It’s also Liverpool’s first home defeat in six years in European competitions.
Atleti, into the quarters once again, moves on to join PSG, Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the next round. The remaining four quarterfinalists are set to be determined next week.
