Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

As it happenedended

Atletico vs Liverpool LIVE: Result and reaction from Champions League fixture tonight

Atletico Madrid took the upper hand in this last-16 tie after Saul Niguez's early goal

Karl Matchett
Tuesday 18 February 2020 22:52 GMT
Comments
(Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Champions League holders Liverpool will need to summon another famous European comeback at Anfield next month after they were beaten 1-0 away to Atletico Madrid in their last-16 first leg on Tuesday.

Spain midfielder Saul Niguez struck the only goal of the game in the fourth minute by bundling into the net from close range following a corner, their traditional weapon of choice in recent years.

Liverpool, who have won 25 of 26 Premier League games this season and are on course for a record-smashing title win, missed a series of chances to equalise in the second half, with Mohamed Salah and captain Jordan Henderson coming closest to scoring.

Juergen Klopp's side play at home to Atletico on March 11 in the return leg at Anfield, where they produced an incredible 4-0 win over Barcelona in last year's semi-final second leg after losing the first match 3-0.

When is the match

The match kicks off at 8pm at the Wanda Metropolitano.

What TV channel is it on?

The game will be broadcast to BT Sport subscribers on BT Sport 2.

Viewers can also access coverage online via the BT Sport app.

Prediction

Liverpool to be too good for Atletico and hurt them with their pace, winning 1-0 in a game of few chances.

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

67' - WHAT a chance for Morata...the ball is cut back toward him, ten yards from goal and just as he strikes, he loses his footing entirely and falls to ground!

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:27

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

70' - Vitolo replaces Morata for Atletico's second sub.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:29

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

72' - Lodi lashes a shot from range and Alisson is stretching, but the ball is always curling away and wide. Liverpool's second sub sees Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replace Mohamed Salah.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:31

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

73' - Firmino and Origi combine down the right channel and the latter clips over a cross for Henderson - who guides his shot just wide. Decent chance.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:32

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

76' - Diego Costa on for Correa for Atleti's final sub. Into the last 15 minutes now and Liverpool are still pushing for a goal...and still haven't had a shot on target.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:36

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

79' - Henderson has picked up an injury and so, instead of Naby Keita being the last sub as was going to be the case, James Milner comes on. Ten minutes and change for the Reds to find an equaliser.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:38

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

82' - Lots of frustrations for Liverpool in this game. Fabinho wins the ball and has a foul given against him twice in about three minutes. Oxlade-Chamberlain wants a foul on the edge of the box; instead it's an Atletico goal kick.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:43

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

86' - Well into the final five minutes and Liverpool not really creating anything or getting bodies into the box. Looks like they'll need a much-improved showing at Anfield for the second leg.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:46

Atletico Madrid 1-0 Liverpool

89' - Next into the book is...Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool boss is unhappy that his team didn't get a free-kick after a clear handball and the ref, Szymon Marciniak, shows him a yellow.

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:48

Four minutes added on

Karl Matchett18 February 2020 21:49

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in