UEFA Cup Shocker For Liverpool!

• Atletico Madrid down defending champs 4-2 on aggregate

The Reds, as Champions of Europe, had it in their hands. Their comeback was seemingly complete. Their usual fortress, Anfield had another European masterpiece to add to its awesome collection. It was there for them. Number seven was still on.

And then the ball went back to their stand-in goalkeeper, Adrian and everything changed for the current runaway English League leaders, Liverpool.

Attempting a first-time clearance, the Spaniard, deputising for the stricken Alisson Becker, got it horribly wrong. His scuffed kick went straight to Joao Felix, who found Marcos Llorente, the late substitute for Atletico.

Suddenly and without any warning, Liverpool’s grip on the European Cup loosened. They had worked so hard to get into a position to reach the last eight. They deserved better than to see their dreams of retaining the trophy dashed like this. One error, one cruel twist of fate turned a famous night into a painful one.

From their outsiders’ position, Diego Simeone’s team became the toast of the night, beating the Anfield Landlords 3-2 after extra time in the second leg of their last-16 tie. With the result, the Spanish side effectively sent the defending European champions crashing out of the competition.

Georginio Wijnaldum’s first half strike had taken the game into extra time and Roberto Firmino put the European champions in the driving seat just four minutes in before disaster struck.

But Atletico recovered thanks to a Marcos Llorente double and a late goal from Alvaro Morata to make it 4-2 on aggregate.

The Premier League outfit dominated possession and had twice as many shots on target as their Spanish opponents, but saw their title defence brought to an end.

You felt for Adrian. How could you not? No player sets out to make mistakes, especially not in such a high-stakes contest. And expecting a free transfer to be as good, and as reliable, as the world’s finest ‘keeper, is unfair.

Adrian is not Alisson, he’s his deputy. He has been an able one too, for the most part. He looked crestfallen at the end, and no wonder. He is a good character, a popular member of the squad, and he has had some wonderful moments this season.

“We will not blame him for a second”, the manager Jurgen Klopp said afterwards. “He didn’t want to do that, and he saved us in so many moments when he was there.”