Liverpool weaknesses potentially highlighted by Atletico in midweek

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Liverpool lost out in midweek as Atletico Madrid frustrated and denied the Reds in the Spanish capital.

It was a ‘typical’ Atleti performance. The sort of showing we have become accustomed too in recent times under the stewardship of enigmatic manager, Diego Simeone.

The Reds dominated possession but must have known they were always up against it when Saul Niguez put Los Rojos Blancos into an early lead.

It proved a frustrating night for Jurgen Klopp’s men. Unable to break down one of the most well-drilled defences in Europe, Liverpool’s players showed plenty of frustration towards the end.

Diego Costa played his role as pantomime villain to perfection in his 15-minute cameo. Indeed, even the usually unmoved Virgil van Dijk lost his cool in the dying embers.

It was, all in all, a masterclass from Atletico and has potentially laid out a blueprint for Premier League teams to follow.

A glimmer of hope

Let’s not get carried away here. This wasn’t a showing that proved how to beat Liverpool every week. It wasn’t a display full of attacking vigour or flair.

However, it was a display that showed how to deny Liverpool. In fact, for all Atletico’s use of frustration tactics and delaying of the game, it was indeed Liverpool who committed more fouls in the game with 13 to Atleti’s eleven.

What was most intriguing, was how little Jan Oblak actually had to do. Liverpool are one of the most free-scoring teams in Europe. They create chance after chance in the Premier League but this time, couldn’t find a route to goal.

It proved, then, that with some slick organisation and work-ethic, the Reds can be stopped. Virgil van Dijk was not able to have it all his own way throughout the tie. That in itself is crucial to how Liverpool play.

While the Reds will go on to win the Premier League with ease, Atletico Madrid might just have laid down a marker for the likes of Pep Guardiola and co to follow going into next season.