Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid: Player ratings as Jan Oblak shines in Champions League last-16 tie

The two sides met in the Champions League knockout stages at Anfield

Mark Critchley
Wednesday 11 March 2020 22:25 GMT
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Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak punches the ball
Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak punches the ball (AFP/Getty)

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Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League after Atletico Madrid produced a smash-and-grab performance to knock out the holders at Anfield.

The reigning champion Reds went ahead on aggregate when Georginio Wijnaldum headed home just before half-time.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak repelled everything during waves of sustained pressure before Roberto Firmino looked to have scored the all-important winner in extra-time.

But substitute Marcos Llorente first profited from an Adrian mistake to score the first away goal before stroking home a second.

Fellow sub Alvaro Morata wrapped things up with the last kick of the match to send Atletico through 4-2 on aggregate.

Here’s how every player rated:

Liverpool:

Adrian – 4 out of 10

Awful howler in extra-time to give Atletico their first priceless away goal.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7

Exceptional in possession. A constant threat on the right-hand side.

Joe Gomez – 6

Solid at the back as Atletico rarely threatened in normal time.

Virgil van Dijk – 7

Led the back four superbly as ever.

Andrew Robertson – 7

A menace down the left. Went close to scoring in second-half when header crashed off the bar.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6

Busy in the middle of the park as Liverpool searched for goals.

Jordan Henderson – 7

The skipper marshalled the midfield well on his return to the side.

Georginio Wijnaldum – 8

Took his first-half goal with aplomb to give Liverpool an all-important foothold in the tie.

Mohamed Salah – 6

Flitted in and out in attack but was always dangerous. Kept Lodi honest throughout. Wasted late chance in normal time.

Roberto Firmino – 7

A quieter night for the Brazilian before scoring second goal in extra-time.

Sadio Mane – 7

A constant threat and looked likeliest to score for the hosts as ever.

Liverpool hosted Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening
Liverpool hosted Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening (PA)

Atletico Madrid

Jan Oblak - 9 Man of the Match

An outstanding performance from first to last for the Slovenian as he almost single-handedly kept Liverpool at bay at times.

Kieran Trippier - 6

Struggled to get forward as Liverpool penned Atletico back.

Stefan Savic - 7

Held his own well against Liverpool’s vaunted front three.

Felipe – 7

Headed everything as well as organising the back four impeccably.

Renan Lodi - 6

Much like Trippier, struggled offensively but held his own against Salah on Liverpool’s right.

Angel Correa - 7

Typically busy and bought timely free-kicks time and again.

Saul Niguez - 7

Another excellent midfield performance despite having less of the ball than normal. Went close from halfway in the second-half.

Thomas Partey - 6

Energetic display in the middle of the park alongside Saul.

Koke- 6

Did his defensive work diligently but failed to make huge impact when in possession.

Diego Costa – 6

A characteristically angry if not especially effective performance. Came in half-fit and looked like it.

Joao Felix – 7

Showed flashes of his quality on the rare occasions Atletico forayed into Liverpool’s final third.

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