March 12 – Holders Liverpool crashed out of the Champions league on Wednesday with manager Jurgen Klopp accusing opponents Atletico Madrid of using negative tactics.
With the game locked at 1-1 on aggregate to force extra time after Liverpool led 1-0 after 90 minutes, the hosts doubled their lead and seemed on course for a quarterfinal spot, only for Marcos Llorente’s brace and Alvaro Morata’s late strike to stun Anfield with a 3-2 win to progress 4-2 over two legs.
Liverpool, finalists for the last two seasons, were made to rue a host of missed chances to kill the tie off in 90 minutes and the defeat ends Klopp’s proud record of never losing a two-legged European tie as Liverpool manager.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak was Atletico’s hero and although Liverpool’s consolation, if you can call it that, will be a first Premier League title for 30 years, Klopp was not a happy man afterwards as his team lost at home in the Champions League for the first time since October 2014.
In fairness resolute defending and a tight midfield has been the hallmark of Atletico during Argentine Diego Simeone’s eight years in charge but Klopp fumed: “I don’t understand with the quality they have, the football they play.”
“They could play proper football but they stand deep and have counter attacks. I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.”
Liverpool’s defeat means both of last season’s finalists are now eliminated after Tottenham Hotspur bowed out tamely on Tuesday against RB Leipzig.
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