Liverpool slayer Marcos Llorente was reportedly rejected by club last summer

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Liverpool’s defence of their Champions League title is over following a 3-2 defeat against Atletico Madrid at Anfield. The result means the Spanish side advance 4-2 on aggregate, after Liverpool capitulated when victory seemed in their grasp. 

Roberto Firmino’s goal appeared to have secured safe passage for Liverpool, who had earlier levelled the tie through Georginio Wijnaldum’s first-half header. 

However, Atletico fought back thanks to an error from Adrian. Marcos Llorente was the hero. The midfielder swept home two wonderful finishes to give Atleti the advantage before Alvaro Morata’s late cherry on top. 

For Liverpool, Llorente doing the damage was doubly damning. Because, according to the player’s agent, Liverpool once turned down the chance to sign him. 

The player’s uncle and adviser Julio Llorente told Cadena Ser in the summer that he had been in touch with Liverpool when it was clear Llorente had no future at former club Real Madrid. However, Liverpool informed him that they felt adequately covered in his position. 

Llorente eventually made a controversial switch across the Spanish capital, in a deal reported by MARCA to be worth €40 million (£36m) in June 2019. 

In fairness to Liverpool, they are well covered in central midfield. The presence of Wijnaldum, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Naby Keita, Adam Lallana, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain meant that Llorente would have been an unnecessary expense. 

But he will no doubt have taken a little extra pleasure in scoring against a team who turned him away just nine months ago.