Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League in remarkable fashion as Atletico Madrid stunned the holders to secure a 4-2 aggregate win -- and a place in the quarterfinals -- with a 3-2 extra-time victory Wednesday at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp's side produced a masterclass inside normal time, but they were restricted to a single Georginio Wijnaldum goal in the original 90 by an outstanding Jan Oblak.
In extra time, Roberto Firmino then finally ended his Anfield goal drought to put the hosts in front, but two goals in nine minutes from substitute Marcos Llorente -- both against the run of play -- silenced the Anfield crowd and put the visitors on the brink of a shock victory.
Ex-Chelsea man Alvaro Morata sealed the ultimate smash-and-grab when he calmly slotted the ball under Adrian in the dying moments to add insult to injury.
Positives
After a tense opening, Liverpool took the tie by the scruff of the neck in an almighty display. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane all shone in an utterly dominant performance -- in normal time, at least -- that threatened to blow the visitors away, and would have done if not for one remarkable goalkeeper.
Negatives
A tale of two goalkeepers. Oblak proved to be a wall at one end, restricting Liverpool to just the two goals on 11 shots on target, while Adrian was twice cheaply beaten at the other end as the Reds were three times dealt a sucker punch on the break. The result saw the Reds' Champions League defence and long-standing home unbeaten run come to an end on the same night.
Manager rating (out of 10)
6 -- Whatever the German said before kick-off certainly had the desired effect. The hosts had the best of their opponents to a man inside of the 90 minutes, but for once, Klopp was tactically outdone by his opposite number as Atletico's efficiency rocked the Reds in extra time.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best, players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Adrian, 3 -- The Spaniard had shipped five goals in his previous two Champions League outings, and that became eight in three as an awful blunder allowed Llorente to grab a huge away goal, before the same player struck again to beat the keeper at his near post. Three goals conceded and one massive night to forget.
DF Trent Alexander-Arnold, 7 -- Provided an endless supply of deadly crosses from the right that eventually proved to be the key to unlocking the visitors' back four. The youngster found time to showcase his technical brilliance, too, spraying a delightful ball out to Salah and plucking a skyward clearance out of air like the ball was glued to his boot. If there was a fault to his performance it was that his attacking mindset left Liverpool exposed on the counter late on.
DF Joe Gomez, 6 -- Had to be on his toes from the off and did just about enough to make Diego Costa pull the trigger earlier than he may have liked. Ultimately exposed by a poor clearance from his goalkeeper as Atletico caught the Reds pressing too high while Liverpool threw the kitchen sink at them in the dying moments.
DF Virgil van Dijk, 7 -- Survived an early scare when he allowed Diego Costa to run in behind and fire wide inside 15 seconds and appeared to be unaware of his runner again when Correa snuck in behind, but this time van Dijk was able to avert the danger. Could maybe have done more to stop Llorente's brilliant second if we're being really harsh.
DF Andrew Robertson, 7 -- Celebrating his 26th birthday, Robertson first had Oblak channelling his inner Superman to punch away a whipped free kick from the left. He then came desperately close to a huge goal when his close-range header shook the crossbar.
MF Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 8 -- Set the tone early with a lightning sprint down the right that left two Atletico players in disbelief and gave the visitors' young left-back a rude awakening. The England man drew the best out of Oblak with stinging drives on either side of the break and caused Atletico endless problems with his unrelenting energy and a series of defence-carving passes.
MF Jordan Henderson, 6 -- His return to action came in the nick of time for a Liverpool side that has desperately missed his desire at the heart of its midfield. There were signs of rustiness after a four-match absence, but the Liverpool skipper was vital in breaking up the play when Atletico did manage to get forward.
MF Georginio Wijnaldum, 8 -- Another huge display. His downward header hauled Liverpool level, and the Dutchman continued to hammer on the door, as he was three times denied by Oblak before teeing up Firmino to send Anfield into pandemonium. Ultimately his heroic efforts were in vain.
FW Mohamed Salah, 8 -- Provided energy in abundance and had the beating of Saul Niguez and Renan Lodi all night in a mesmerising display, but he just couldn't hit the target. An impressive display nonetheless from the forward who would have had an assist had Robertson's close-range header been inches lower.
FW Roberto Firmino, 7 -- The Brazil man's excellent movement saw him come painfully close on three separate occasions, with two of those chances created by the brilliance of Alexander-Arnold. In extra time, he finally ended a run of 11 months without a goal at Anfield, turning home Wijnaldum's cross at the second attempt.
FW Sadio Mane, 7 -- The forward was desire personified as he stole back possession time and time again to put Liverpool in the ascendancy. Scuffed one brilliant opportunity straight down the throat of Oblak after brilliant work from Salah on the right, and that ultimately proved costly.
Substitutes
MF James Milner, N/R -- Replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain in the 82nd minute and did superbly to dance past Kieran Trippier and find a cross with his first involvement, but a frustrating evening was summed up when he clattered into Oblak.
MF Fabinho, N/R -- Replaced Henderson midway through extra time but couldn't inspire what would have been a sensational comeback in the last 15 minutes.
FW Divock Origi, N/R -- Came on for Wijnaldum in a double Liverpool change as the hosts went all-out to defend their crown. Couldn't repeat last year's heroics, though, and dragged his best opportunity wide.
FW Takumi Minamino, N/R -- Made his Liverpol UCL debut in the 115th minute but a bubbly affair had finally started to cool down by the time he was introduced.