Liverpool vs Atlético Madrid: player ratings

Holders Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League after conceding three extra-time goals to an impressively resolute Atletico Madrid side. Georginio Wijnaldum’s goal at the end of the first half seemed to have nudged the tie in the Reds’ favour as an expectant Kop roared their team on, but Atleti remained fixed to their task. They produced a return to the backs-to-the-wall defending that has typified their greatest performances under manager Diego Simeone and the visitors stayed strong for the remainder of the ninety.

Liverpool well on top for most of the match

In the fourth minute of extra-time Roberto Firmino’s neat finish briefly looked to have put his side through but a lapse from stand-in goalkeeper Adrian gifted a goal to Marcos Llorente. The former Real Madrid player then doubled his tally for the evening seconds before the break as Atletico Madrid went 3-2 up on aggregate. Needing two goals to reach the quarter-finals, the home team poured forward and left enough space at the back for Alvaro Morata to race free of their defensive line and slot past the Liverpool goalkeeper at his near post.

Atletico Madrid progress to the Champions League quarter finals at the expense of last season’s winners and, on this evidence, appear a tough proposition for any team in Europe.

Liverpool player ratings

Adrián – (3) Had little to do throughout the 90 minutes and complacency seemed to get the better of him minutes after Liverpool took the lead for first time in the tie. The keeper’s miskick found its way to Marcos Llorente on the edge of the box and the former Real Madrid man found the bottom corner of the net. Might have done better with the second goal, and the less said about his positioning for the third, the better

Alexander-Arnold – (8) Dovetailed nicely with Oxlade-Chamberlain and sent in a number of teasing deliveries, the best of which was a low whipped cross that just evaded Firmino’s outstretched toe in the first half.

Gomez – (6) Had little to do throughout a largely one-sided game and marshalled Atleti’s striking options well. Might have done more to prevent the shot for Llorente’s second.

Van Dijk – (7) A couple of important interceptions prevented chances in the first half and dealt with the aerial threat of first Costa and then Morata well.

Robertson - (6) Solid defensively and tidy in possession, the Scot was let off the leash as Liverpool pushed forward late on. Added extra width to their attack but should have done better with a back post header that bounced off the crossbar.

Henderson – (7) Kept things ticking over nicely against an Atleti side who spent much of the game slowing things down. Withdrawn in extra-time with Liverpool needing a goal and his recently-recovered legs tiring.

Wijnaldum – (7) The Dutchman’s ability to play out of tight situations helped his side build attacks and it was his marauding run down the right that resulted in Firmino’s extra-time goal. A good performance.

Oxlade-Chamberlain – (8) Consistently Liverpool’s most dynamic attacking threat while he was on the pitch and linked well with Alexander-Arnold and Salah down the right wing. It was his brilliant run behind Saul Niguez and pinpoint cross that found Wijnaldum for the game’s opening goal.

Mané – (7) Clearly viewed as Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat and found his time and space limited by some dogged defending. A couple of wayward bicycle-kick attempts but looked dangerous when running with the ball.

Salah – (7) Was probably the most involved of Liverpool’s forwards throughout the game and showed some neat touches in the box. Unlucky not to find the top corner after a great run that would have won the tie for Liverpool shortly before the ninety.

Firmino – (6) Struggled to hold the ball up initially but grew into the game, culminating in a nicely taken extra-time goal. Will be disappointed that his first Champions League goal for the season came in his final appearance in the competition.

Liverpool subs

Milner – (6) Brought on to replace Henderson, he brought the same energy as his captain but lacked the same range of passing.

Origi – (5) Largely anonymous, aside from a shot dragged wide from the edge of the box as the game slipped away.

Fabinho – N/A

Minamino – N/A

Atlético Madrid player ratings

Oblak – (9) An imperious performance. The talk before this tie had been that Simeone’s men were not what they once were but the Atleti stopper produced a typically resolute display in the face of a relentless bombardment of shots and crosses.

Trippier – (7) Dealt well with the threat of Mané and can count himself as one of few full-backs to get a grips with the Senegalese winger this season.

Felipe – (7) Stuck to his task and refused to give Liverpool’s forwards a moments’ peace; Firmino’s anonymity a telling sign of the centre back’s stoic performance.

Savić – (8) The former Manchester City man impressed at the back with a rugged display. Did all that his manager could have asked from him and showed the same dogged qualities of the iconic Diego Godin who proceeded him.

Renan Lodi – (6) Overran by Liverpool’s attacking threat down the right initially, but improved in the second half. Ultimately did enough to see his side through.

Saúl – (6) Worked hard to stem the tide of Liverpool attacks but was caught napping by Oxlade-Chamberlain in the build-up to Wijnaldum’s goal. Thought he’d made amends with a 91st minute header that was ruled offside before the chaos of extra-time.

Koke – (7) Authoritative alongside Partey in midfield and led his side well throughout. Needless to say, he remained focused on defensive duties for much of the game.

Partey – (8) Fantastic positioning throughout protected his centre backs well and repeatedly broke up Liverpool play. Combative and intelligent throughout the 120 minutes.

Correa – (7) Effective in his initial role on the left wing and showed some nice touches after replacing Costa as Atleti’s central forward.

Diego Costa – (5) Set his stall out early by preventing Adrián taking a quick free-kick and remained dedicated to frustrating the Reds until being removed just before the hour. Took Simeone’s decision to substitute him with his usual good grace, the water bottles taking the brunt of the outburst.

João Félix – (6) Worked tirelessly and continued to be brave when showing for the ball. Not a night for him with the ball, but did more than enough without it.

Atlético Madrid subs

Marcos Llorente – (9) What started off as a more defensive replacement for Diego Costa became a goal-scoring, tie-winning introduction. Stroked the ball into the bottom corner for his first, before sending his side through with a drilled shot into the bottom corner from distance.

Vrsaljko – (6) The Croatian came on for Trippier shortly before extra time and continued to blunt Liverpool attacks down the left.

Morata – (7) Brought on shortly after Llorente’s first put Atleti back in the driving seat. Added extra height when defending set-pieces and time-wasted when possible before putting the tie to bed in the 121st minute.

Giménez – N/A