Liverpool supporters were left unhappy with Atletico Madrid’s play-acting during Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Wanda Metropolitano.
The Reds succumbed to defeat in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 meeting against the La Liga side, with Saul Niguez bundling home from close-range after just four minutes to give Atletico the win.
MORE: Atletico 1-0 Liverpool – Highlights
Atletico managed to execute their gameplan to perfection as they sat back and looked to keep Liverpool at bay. However, it wasn’t just their defensive shape that frustrated the Reds.
Diego Simeone’s side were certainly looking to get under the Reds’ skin as they went down at the slightest of touches to break up play. It would be no exaggeration to suggest the home side were diving in search of getting the rub of the green in tight situations.
With Atletico surrounding the referee in to get Sadio Mane sent off in the first-half, Liverpool supporters were quick to notice Atletico showing bad sportsmanship throughout the rest of the game.
https://twitter.com/sjrcarson/status/1229880535297806336
Can not stand playing teams like Atletico. Diving into every challenge then falling about at the slightest touch.. get them back to Anfield and pump them.
— StevenDuffie (@sduffie01) February 18, 2020
Atletico diving every 30 seconds is embarrassing watch, clearly a game plan. Surely the ref has to catch on here.
— Luke (@Luke_TJH) February 18, 2020
Atletico have now entered full on 'Let's get Sadio Mane sent off' mode.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ally_Osborne12/status/1229870243570503688
https://twitter.com/fee_lfc/status/1229886473207517184
https://twitter.com/AshLowe16/status/1229880320620716032
https://twitter.com/olderThanevil/status/1229888456085647360
Life is way too short to be an Atletico Madrid fan under Diego Simeone. I can’t imagine having to watch that style of football every match at home and away. Dire. Brutal. Cynical. Boring. Diving. That was ugly as all hell.
— just bob (@bhavkp) February 18, 2020
