Atletico Madrid vs Liverpool highlights: Liverpool were left frustrated against Atletico after an early Saul Niguez goal saw them fall to 1-0 defeat in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg.
Atletico 1-0 Liverpool
‣ 1-0: Saul Niguez (4')
Jurgen Klopp made two changes to the side that beat Norwich at the weekend as match-winning substitute Sadio Mane started from the off and Fabinho replaced Naby Keita in midfield.
Atletico made a fast start and made their early pressure count as they netted in just the fourth minute from their first corner of the game.
The ball ricocheted off Fabinho and fell to Saul Niguez, who slotted the loose ball past Alisson from close-range in a huge setback for the Reds.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool looked flustered to begin with but responded well to going behind as they looked to keep the ball, frustrate the crowd and draw the home side out of their shape.
Atletico remained dangerous on the counter, with one seeing Alvaro Morata waiting at the far-post to tap the incoming cross home, however, Andy Robertson made a decisive interception for Klopp's side.
Minutes later, Alisson kept Liverpool in the game as he saved from Morata's close-range effort following a mistake by Virgil van Dijk.
The Reds then had the ball in the net at the other end after a mistake by Jan Oblak handed Mohamed Salah the ball. The Egyptian mis-controlled the ball and inadvertently passed to Roberto Firmino, who was stood in an offside position before Salah finished from the return pass.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Divock Origi came on at half-time in place of Mane, despite no suggestions of an injury to the Reds forward.
The final ball was often lacking for Liverpool, who piled on the pressure in the second half but failed to trouble Oblak in goal. Salah came close on two occasions but was unable to divert the ball goalwards, with Oxlade-Chamberlain replacing him in the 72nd minute.
An excellent cross into the box by Origi fell to an unmarked Jordan Henderson, whose first time attempt agonisingly went inches wide of the post.
The Reds skipper was forced off injured ten minutes before time as James Milner came on to replace him, with Liverpool eventually falling short of grabbing a decisive equaliser.
Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images
It's not an ideal result for the Reds, who were below their best, but they remain firm favourites to overturn the 1-0 deficit at Anfield and progress to the next round.
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Mane, Firmino, Salah.
Atletico 1-0 Liverpool Highlights
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