It has taken until Jurgen Klopp’s fourth European campaign, but Liverpool have finally been beaten in a two-legged tie.
Roberto Firmino looked to have completed an arduous comeback when he struck in the early stages of extra time, but Adrian proceeded to hand the visitors a vital away goal, and the dejected Reds would ship two more to fall to defeat on the night and surrender their title.
Let’s take a look at how the players rated.
Adrian – 1/10
A performance that deserves no more, regrettably. Adrian had looked a little shaky even before his unacceptable fumble for Marcos Llorente’s first. The second wasn’t in the corner and then he was beaten at his near post by Morata. Alisson was missed. Simon Mignolet was missed.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 6/10
Trent was a real presence going forward again after being successfully contained in the first leg, but he wasn’t able to split the defence from the right flank as he so often does.
Joe Gomez – 6/10
Spent most of the match 10 yards into the Atletico half alongside Van Dijk, but has to bear some of the responsibility for the late defensive capitulation.
Virgil van Dijk – 6/10
Ctrl + V. Also worth noting that he played the second half of extra time as an auxiliary striker but couldn’t function as an effective target man.
Andrew Robertson – 6/10
Scaled-up his attacking involvement in the second half and was twice denied by a goal by heroic Kieron Trippier blocks. Plenty of industry, little fruit for his labours.
Jordan Henderson – 6/10
And another six, this time for the skipper, who often slotted between Van Dijk and Gomez to provide defensive cover as the full-backs bombed forward along with his midfield partners. Didn’t really assert himself and was perhaps rushed back to a starting role.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 8/10
Very unfortunate to be taken off, albeit for one of Klopp’s most trusted lieutenants. Gave Liverpool a real thrust from midfield and picked out a superb cross for Wijnaldum’s goal. He also tested Oblak on a few occasions. It was his best performance for a long time.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 8/10
Wijnaldum rose to the occasion with a magnificent header and an excellent ball to tee-up Firmino for what should have been the winner. A pleasingly ambitious performance.
Mohamed Salah – 7/10
Was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half, making life far more difficult for his multiple markers than he did in the first leg, but then he cut an increasingly frustrated figure after the break as he saw a number of attempts fly wide.
Roberto Firmino – 7/10
Finally managed to score at Anfield with a composed finish after a hugely frustrating night. Really ought to have been the hero.
Sadio Mane – 6/10
Not his night in the end, for all his endeavour. Failed to convert some good opportunities.
SUBSTITUTES
James Milner – 6/10
Came on, flew into a few challenges, tried to create from wide areas but didn’t succeed.
Fabinho – N/A
Was introduced halfway through extra-time with Liverpool chasing a goal; he was better-suited to the game at 2-0.
Divock Origi – N/A
No miracle this time.
