Liverpool ensured there will be more exciting European nights to come at Anfield this season after a 2-0 win in their Group B home game against Atletico Madrid secured qualification for the last 16 with two games to spare.
On paper, the group had looked a tough one, with Diego Simeone’s Spanish champions having knocked Liverpool out of the competition on their last visit in March 2020, the last game played in front of a crowd in England before lockdown.
Former European champions AC Milan and Porto made up rest of the group, but none have been able to stop the reds on their march to the knockout phase. With those two sides drawing 1-1 in the other game, Liverpool have not only qualified but ensured the do so as group winners.
After beating the Italian and Portugese sides, Jurgen Klopp’s men won 3-2 in Madrid in a match that saw Atletico draw level from 2-0 down before the scorer of both goals, Antoine Griezmann, was sent off.
On this occasion Liverpool again took a 2-0 lead with goals by Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane, before Atletico’s Felipe saw red, making the rest of the game a straightforward cruise.
The one scare for the home side came when former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
It means Liverpool have now gone 25 games unbeaten in all competitions, including 16 so far this season.
Players and fans at the club can now relax and see who they might play in the next round, with the outcome of other groups yet to be decided. However, under competition rules they cannot play another English side before the quarter finals.
Among possible second place opponents could be Paris Saint-Germain should they finish behind Manchester City, Jurgen Klopp’s former side Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, or one of Real Madrid, Inter Milan and this year’s surprise package from Moldova, Sheriff Tiraspol, who are contesting a tight Group D.
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