· 2 min readIn this Liverpool vs Atlético match, I analyse the key tactical moments, individual performances and turning points of the game.
Liverpool and Atlético came into their first Champions League game: two teams that are extremely difficult to beat when they are playing well, but capable of suffering humiliating defeats when they are struggling.
The game started evenly, with several transitions. Atlético defended in a 5-3-2 and waited for moments when they could break forward quickly. And that was how the first goal came.
In the 17th minute, Álvarez dropped deep to receive the ball in midfield, found space and played a perfect ball into Llorente’s run. The Spaniard appeared alone in front of Alisson and finished with great composure. 0-1. Kerkez had to track the movement better, because he allowed Llorente to get completely away from him. For Atlético, it was the perfect scenario: a lead and space to exploit.
Liverpool grew into the game with the ball and started looking more for the equaliser. They had a good transition, with Isak crossing for Wirtz, who appeared at the far post and forced Oblak into a save.
The equaliser came just before half-time and was one of those goals where technique makes all the difference. Kerkez won the ball high up the pitch and the move continued down the right. After a blocked shot, Araújo appeared inside the box and played a backheel to Szoboszlai. The Hungarian did not need power: with one touch, he placed the ball into the back of the net. 1-1. Pure talent.
In the second half, Liverpool started better and immediately created a huge opportunity. Wirtz sent Barcola through, leaving him one-on-one with Oblak, but he shot wide. He had to score. Shortly afterwards, the comeback arrived.
Rio Ngumoha won the duel on the left against Llorente and managed to put the ball into the box. Atlético’s defence failed to deal with it properly and Mac Allister received it on the edge of the area. The Argentine did not think twice and hit it hard. Oblak tried, but could not prevent the 2-1.
From there, Atlético tried to react, eventually reaching 57% possession, but possession without danger is not enough. During the first fifteen minutes of the second half, they did not even manage a shot, and Liverpool were already very comfortable defensively.
Barcola went off injured and Liverpool changed both wingers. Atlético needed much more speed to break down that defence and had just 0.25 expected goals in the second half. Three shots.
In the final minutes, there was still a scare. Victor Muñoz produced a good individual move and Frimpong scored, but the goal was ruled out for offside. It would have been the final blow, but the 2-1 kept everything open.
Atlético had more of the ball towards the end, but could not turn that into danger. Liverpool controlled the game well and held on to a victory in a match that started evenly, but was ultimately decided by the English side’s greater ability to create and take advantage of the right moments.
Post-match
A good Liverpool win in a difficult game. Szoboszlai and Mac Allister showing their talent and good attacking pressure from the team. Atlético, meanwhile, need to improve and, at the moment when they needed to score to find the equaliser, they lacked speed.
