Liverpool made a huge mistake against Atlético Madrid by forgetting their best quality
In a game that called for patience, Jürgen Klopp’s team vacillated between stretches of languid play and moments of frantic individualism.
There were issues from the get-go. Simeone’s high-paced 4-4-2 overran Liverpool’s midfield trio. Fabinhon, Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum were overrun. Atleti struck early then sat back. They kept their hallmark, high-octane pace but did so out of two deep defensive blocks.
Simeone was willing to concede the flanks high up the pitch as long as they could maintain a solid central block, with defenders then jumping out to close Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold whenever the pair of fullbacks got close to the box, forcing the pair to turn the ball inside. With the lead in hand, Simeone withdrew Thomas Lamar, a speedy, wide outlet, and added Marcos Llorente to a crowded middle — added legs, added intensity, added know-how in the central spaces.
