2 hours ago
34
Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid will conjure mixed memories for those of the Red persuasion. The clubs have previously met eight times, with the Spaniards emerging victorious from the two double-headed knockout ties since that first encounter in 2008.
In the Diego Simeone era, the most vivid images will be of that remarkable night at Anfield in March 2020, when the world seemed to be grinding to a halt as Covid-19 spread rapidly across the globe. Liverpool’s status as European champions was forcibly removed in extra-time of the second leg, despite Giorgino Wijnaldum handing Jurgen Klopp’s side the advantage just four minutes into the additional period.
Marcos Llorente netted two in reply, and Alvaro Morato’s late third rubber-stamped Liverpool’s European exit, even if it felt relatively inconsequential to some given the seismic global events that were anticipated.
When they next met, 19 months later, the effects of the pandemic were still being felt. Press conferences were held on Zoom, masks were required, and Covid outbreaks among squads were still rampant.
However, Atletico’s excuses were more traditional when the dust settled on the group-stage thriller in October 2021. Mohamed Salah’s sublime solo goal handed Liverpool an eight-minute lead, before Naby Keita’s sensational volley doubled that advantage.
Atletico was the reigning Spanish champions and this was perhaps Simeone’s greatest side. That was underlined with an emphatic response. Antoine Griezmann netted twice to restore parity before the break.
In truth, Atleti was the better side at the Metropolitano Stadium. Alisson had to make several big saves to keep Liverpool in the game.
Then the match turned in the 52nd minute when Griezmann caught Roberto Firmino in the head with a high foot. The Brazilian escaped without serious injury, but Atletico’s star man was shown a straight red card.
Off he went, to the fury of Simeone. That ire was amplified in the latter stages when Diogo Jota was chopped down in the box and Liverpool was awarded a penalty. Salah slotted from the spot, becoming the Reds’ all-time top scorer in the Champions League in the process.
Simeone was seething at full-time; a snubbed penalty claim didn’t help matters. The emotional Argentine stormed down the tunnel after the referee’s whistle without shaking Klopp’s hand.
“I wanted to shake his hand, he didn't," the Liverpool manager told BT Sports after the game. “His reaction was like mine [at Anfield in 2020], not too good.
“When I see him next time we will shake hands. He was obviously angry, not with me but the game, the world. It's nothing.”
Arne Slot will hope Simeone leaves Anfiled on Wednesday with a similar sense of frustration as the 2025/26 Champions League campaign gets under way.
English (US) ·