wicked.football

We rate the Liverpool players after they recorded an impressive 3-2 win at 10-man Atletico Madrid to take control of Champions League Group B on Tuesday evening.

Liverpool had a dream start and were 2-0 up inside the opening 13 minutes thanks to Mo Salah and Naby Keita. Salah continued his fine start to the season with another goal, although it took a deflection to see his effort, after a fine solo run, beat Jan Oblak.

Keita then made it two with a superb volley from the edge of the area after Atletico failed to fully clear a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.

But it was game on with 20 minutes on the clock when Griezmann flicked home. However, it was a surprise that the goal was not ruled out for offside.

There were no doubts about the France striker’s second, though, as he drilled an effort across Alisson.

Griezmann went from hero to zero, however, shortly after the break when his high boot caught Roberto Firmino in the face and he was shown red.

Liverpool’s dominance against the 10 men was rewarded with 12 minutes to go when Mario Hermoso barged Diogo Jota over in the area and Salah made no mistake from the penalty spot.

But Jota gave away a spot-kick on his own minutes later when he felled Jose Maria Gimenez in the box, only for the referee to overrule the decision after looking at the pitchside monitor.

Klopp’s men managed to hang on from there and they are in control of Group B with three wins from three.

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Liverpool

Alisson: Could do nothing about Griezmann’s first goal. However, he saved brilliantly to deny the France striker, Felix and Lemar as Atletico roared back into the game in the first half. Another one-on-one stop denied Carrasco in the second-half in what was an outstanding display. 9/10

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Allowed too much space behind him as Atletico continually switched the play well. Delivery from open play and set-piece was quality again though. Subbed late on. 6

Joel Matip: Was troubled by Griezmann’s movement in the opening half but improved in the second. 7

Virgil van Dijk: Allowed Griezmann to get away from him the area to fire home Atletico’s equaliser and was not at his best. 6

Andrew Robertson: Tried to get forward but always wary of Atletico hitting Liverpool on the break. 7

James Milner: Started brightly but had his work cut out when Atletico finally woke up. Unluckily booked for an arm across Trippier and was subsequently subbed by Klopp. 6

The first player in our history to score in nine consecutive appearances for us

@MoSalah pic.twitter.com/Ht8kJkNLRu

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 19, 2021

Jordan Henderson: Solid and dependable as ever and coped well with the ebbs and flows of a crazy game. 7

Naby Keita: Took his goal superbly, showing tremendous technique from the edge of the box. Otherwise fairly quiet and subbed at half-time for Fabinho’s greater presence. 7

Sadio Mane: Saw a header clawed away by Oblak at the start of the second half, but was replaced by Jota after having little impact on the game. 6

Roberto Firmino: Quiet and hardly had an opening to build on his hat-trick at the weekend. 6

Salah sparkles again

Mo Salah: Deflected strike after a mazy run gave the Reds a massive early boost. Always a threat and gave Liverpool the lead from the penalty spot with 12 minutes to go. Subbed at the death. 8

Substitutes:

Fabinho (on for Keita, 45): A tactical switch from Klopp after Liverpool were over-run, as Atletico hit back in the first half. Gave the Reds more balance in midfield. 7

Diogo Jota (on for Mane, 62): Won the penalty after Hermoso barged him over in the box. Maybe slightly fortunate to get away with giving away a spot-kick of his own moments later. 6

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Milner, 62): Lively display off the bench and almost made an immediate impact but saw his effort saved by Oblak. 7

Joe Gomez (on for Alexander-Arnold, 85): N/A

Neco Williams (on for Salah, 90): N/A

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