Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid score: Reds eliminated from Champions League at Anfield as Adrian struggles

The Reds crash out of the competition much earlier than expected

The chance of winning back to back Champions League titles is over for Liverpool. The Reds were eliminated from the Champions League with a 3-2 loss to Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their round of 16 tie on Wednesday at Anfield. 

After losing the first leg, 1-0, in Spain, Liverpool finished regulation of the second leg up 1-0 to force extra time. Atletico Madrid got two goals from substitute Marcos Llorente in the first period of extra time to advance 4-2 on aggregate and send the reigning champs packing in a stunning result.

The Reds were without superstar goalkeeper Alisson due to a hip injury, and backup Adrian struggled, giving away the first goal with a poor clearance before getting beat too easily on the second. On the other side, Atleti goalkeeper Jan Oblak was one of the heroes of the night, making a number of crucial saves to help his team move on.   

Liverpool recorded 34 shots to Atletico's 10 yet wasn't able to do enough despite also having 72 percent possession. 

Georginio Wijnaldum scored the only goal in regulation on a header in the 43rd minute to force extra time, and things were looking up for the hosts when Roberto Firmino made it 2-0 in the 94 minute. But it was this goal from Llorente off a terrible Adrian error that ended up being the decider. 

Llorente scored again nine minutes later before Alvaro Morata slammed the door shut in the 121st minute.

The loss means the Reds are now only in contention in the Premier League. Liverpool was bounced by Chelsea in the FA Cup last week. This was the first time Liverpool failed to advance from a two-legged tie in European competition under Jurgen Klopp after advancing in all 10 previous situations. It's also Liverpool's first home defeat in six years in European competitions. 

Atleti, into the quarters once again, moves on to join PSG, Atalanta and RB Leipzig in the next round. The remaining four quarterfinalists are set to be determined next week.

Liverpool 2, Atletico Madrid 3 (ET -- Atletico advances 4-2 agg.)

⚽ Liverpool -- Georginio Wijnaldum (43')
⚽ Liverpool -- Roberto Firmino (94')
⚽ Atletico Madrid -- Marcos Llorente (97')
⚽ Atletico Madrid -- Marcos Llorente (105+1')
⚽ Atletico Madrid --  Alvaro Morata (120+1') 

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:34 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

IT IS OVER!

Liverpool out and Atleti through in a stunner. The cup holders are gone much earlier than anybody expected. 

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:32 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Atletico Madrid!

It's over! Morata finishes on the break, and the Reds are out!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:29 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Llorente's second goal

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:25 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Eight minutes left

Not looking good for Liverpool. Eight minutes to go and the Reds need two goals. They've got to get one first, but Atleti isn't given them much room in defense.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:16 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

The final 15 begins

Here we go! Liverpool needs something here! Correa comes off and centerback Gimenez comes on. 

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:13 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Llorente does it again!

It's 2-2 now, and Liverpool needs two goals after Llorente beats Adrian again! Boy has Liverpool really missed Alisson. Atleti almost through! Second 15-minute extra time session to come.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:09 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Llorente's strike

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:08 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Firmino's strike

[Mar 11, 2020 at 6:04 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Atletico!

Well what a response! It's Marcos Llorente in the 97th minute to pull one back, and it's now 2-2 on aggregate. That goal gives Atleti the lead on away goals, and if it ends like this they'll be through!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:59 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Goal Liverpool! 

Firmino makes it 2-0 and the Reds are on the brink! A great ball from the right and Firmino heads off the post and gets the rebound!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:56 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Extra time it is!

Two 15-minute sessions to come and potentially penalty kicks. In the other match, PSG is through after beating Dortmund 2-0.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:52 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

90' GOAL ATLETI! Oh no, offside!

Saul looked to have scored again on a set piece in the final moment as Simeone goes crazy on the sideline, but he's well offside. Assistant ref got that right, and VAR would have caught it easily. Extra time it is!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:48 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Two added minutes

The fourth official shows that there will be two added minutes as Salah takes another chance on frame that is saved well by Oblak.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:43 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

85' Nearly the winner!

Sadio Mane just wide! A fantastic attempt at a bicycle kick just misses the frame. Goodness that was some form and almost beat Oblak! 

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:27 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

69' Goodness, Liverpool close again!

The Reds aren't just knocking on the door, they are close to entering. A crossbar hit and then forcing Oblak to make a couple big saves in just a matter of minutes. Atleti with 11 behind the ball looking like they are fine with taking this to extra time.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:14 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Liverpool knocking on the door

Two fantastic chances for Oxlade-Chamberlain. He sends one over the bar in the 52nd minute and then foces a big save on Oblak with a low strike from 25 yards out or so. Oblak handles it well. Some pace on that ball.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 5:07 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Back underway!

The second half begins and Liverpool quickly gets a fine chance. It's Winjaldum who feeds Salah, and his curling effort is saved well by Oblak.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:59 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Liverpool's goal

Here it is. Check how Wijnaldum heads downwards and places it just where Oblak can't get it. Masterful.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:51 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

HALFTIME!

It's 1-0 at the break to Liverpool with Wijnaldum's big header! This match is 1-1 on aggregate and would go to extra time if it ends like this after 90 minutes.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:47 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

43' GOAL LIVERPOOL!

Wijnaldum! A fantastic header down to the ground that Oblak couldn't handle. What a time to score as well just before the break! 1-1 on aggregate.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:39 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Atleti really struggling with Reds' pressure

Atletico Madrid has zero shots on goal as we reach the 40th minute. Liverpool dominating the ball and giving the visitors very little room to do much of anything. Game is there for the taking for the Reds -- now they just have to put one away.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:13 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Great chance for Reds!

Sadio Mane feeds Salah with the winger cutting and firing, but it goes well over the bar. He had a good look at the game completes its 10th minute.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:07 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

5' Good chance for Liverpool!

Wijnaldum does well to get off a cross to Alexander-Arnold, but it's hit right at Oblak!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:06 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

1' Almost!

Atleti nearly scores in the early seconds! Joao Felix finds Costa who goes just wide!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 4:01 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Underway!

Here we go from Anfield! 90 minutes and potentially more ahead!

[Mar 11, 2020 at 3:56 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Five minutes till kickoff

Just five minutes till the second leg is underway from a packed Anfield.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 3:49 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

The Reds are ready

[Mar 11, 2020 at 3:47 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

15 minutes till kickoff

Quarter of an hour to go until the match gets underway from the Anfield.

[Mar 11, 2020 at 3:33 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Liverpool's club preview

[Mar 11, 2020 at 3:25 pm ET · Roger Gonzalez]

Klopp knows his team must respect Atleti

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp said while they have to respect their opponent, they also need to embrace their own quality to get through. Here's what he told Liverpool's official website:
"I talk about Atletico's qualities because we must respect them, but in doing so we don't ignore our own. This is so, so important. We have talent, desire, energy and belief. We know when we bring our intensity we hold the pen and we write the story. We have world-class players, who I am proud to say are world-class people also. I would swap them for no-one.