Sadio Mane gets above Kieran Trippier
(Getty)
Liverpool head into their third Champions League group stage match high on confidence after a fine run of form, but they face their toughest test in Europe this season as they face Atletico Madrid. The Spanish champions have been in solid, if unspectacular, form this term – taking four points from the two group games so far and fourth in LaLiga, three points off top spot.
Notably, Atleti also knocked the Reds out of this competition when they were holders in 2020, something Jurgen Klopp’s team will be keen to put right. However, they also have extremely good memories of the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium – as they beat Tottenham on this ground to win the Champions League the campaign prior.
Liverpool come into the game off the back of a five-goal thumping of Watford at the weekend, where Mohamed Salah once more showed his immense current form with a spectacular solo goal. This is the first of two successive encounters between the sides in the group stage, which could dictate who progresses as group winners. Follow all the match action below as Atletico Madrid host Liverpool.
Atletico 0 – 0 Liverpool
6 mins: Salah tries to take on Carrasco wide out on the right but Thomas Lemar drops back to give Atletico a two on one advantage. Salah instead passes the ball back and Liverpool switch the play out to Andy Robertson. He swings a cross into the box looking for Roberto Firmino but Atletico deal with it.
Michael Jones19 October 2021 20:10
Atletico 0 – 0 Liverpool
3 mins: Atletico are set up with a back three that quickly becomes a five when Liverpool have the ball, Carrasco and Trippier both falling back to defend.
Liverpool string together a few passes but don’t get very far as the ball comes loose in midfield. A wayward pass then sends the ball back to Jordan Henderson.
Michael Jones19 October 2021 20:06
Atletico 0 – 0 Liverpool
Kick off: Yannick Carrasco and Kieran Trippier join the Liverpool team in taking the knee before the match gets underway. Liverpool then get the ball rolling and send it out of play with a diagonal ball that goes over the head of Sadio Mane.
Michael Jones19 October 2021 20:03
Atletico vs Liverpool
Here come the teams. Liverpool won the 2019 Champions League at this stadium in a final vs Tottenham but lost to Atletico when they returned in the last 16 the following year.
Jordan Henderson leads out the Reds. If they win tonight Liverpool will have a five point lead at the top of Group B and one foot in the knockout stages.
Michael Jones19 October 2021 19:59
The man in form
Mo Salah has scored in each of his last five away Champions League games. It’s the longest such scoring streak in Liverpool’s history.
(Getty Images)
Michael Jones19 October 2021 19:55
Brugge vs Man City: Five things we learned as Phil Foden stars in comfortable Champions League win
Manchester City cruised to a commanding win over Club Brugge in the Champions League as Pep Guardiola’s side picked up a valuable three points in Group A.
Here are five things we learned:
Michael Jones19 October 2021 19:52
Diego Simeone on Liverpool
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone spoke about the threat that Liverpool pose this evening and how good they are to watch. He said:
They are going through a fantastic spell of football, they seem to have a different rhythm, and it is a pleasure to see them play,
“They have no fear to leave spaces at the back. They press high, play a high line, have speed.”
Michael Jones19 October 2021 19:49
Atletico vs Liverpool
Atlético’s last Champions League defeat in their own stadium came at the hands of English opposition – with Michy Batshuayi’s late winner ensuring Antonio Conte’s Chelsea left with all three points in September 2017.
Can Liverpool inflict another defeat on the La Liga champions tonight?
Michael Jones19 October 2021 19:46
Club Brugge vs Man City player ratings: Phil Foden stars in scintillating Champions League display
Michael Jones19 October 2021 19:44