Champions League draw offers Liverpool glimpse of failed 2018 target Jan Oblak

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Reigning champions Liverpool have been drawn against Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League. 

It’s not the worst tie in the world for the Reds and they will fancy beating Diego Simeone’s side to progress to the last eight.

Atletico are fifth in La Liga and although they have lost just twice, the eight drawn games have stalled their title challenge.

When the two teams meet, Liverpool will come face-to-face with a player they very nearly signed.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak will be the man tasked with keeping Liverpool out and reports in 2018 linked him to Anfield.

Team Talk claimed that a world record bid of £85 million was rejected by the Slovenian goalkeeper.

Oblak arrived in the Spanish capital from Benfica in 2014 and has proved a revelation for Atletico. The 26-year-old has played 231 games for Los Rojiblancos, keeping 129 clean sheets in the process.

Liverpool saved themselves a bit of money by landing Alisson Becker for £67 million.

The Brazilian can occasionally be erratic but given the success Liverpool have had with him in the team it’s hard to argue with the transfer strategy.

Oblak is often viewed as one of the world’s best goalkeepers and the Reds will hope he doesn’t come back to haunt them.

Main man

The man with 28 Slovenia caps has kept nine clean sheets this season and he is a firm fan favourite at the Wanda Metropolitano.

His remit of keeping Liverpool at bay looks thankless. The Reds are the runaway leaders of the Premier League and Oblak will need to be at his very best.

The custodian might have a Champions League winners medal to his name had he made the switch to Anfield.

Whatever the thought process was behind now making the switch, it now looks somewhat flawed.

Oblak will hope to at least take some consolation from his failed transfer by helping to send Liverpool packing in this year’s competition.