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A brace from in-form attacker Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool eke out a thrilling 3-2 win over ten-man Atletico Madrid in their UEFA Champions League group game. Naby Keita was also on the scoresheet for the Reds, with Antoine Griezmann netting twice for the Rojiblancos.
Both teams traded blows in an enthraling first half, with Liverpool starting brightly and Atletico ending the half strongly. The visitors raced into a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes, with early strikes from Salah and Keita. The hosts soon hit back with two of their own, as Greizmann’s brace brought Atletico back on level terms.
Seven minutes into the second half, the evening went from dreamland to nightmare for the Frenchman, as he received a straight red. Down to ten men, Atletico held on gamely for a while. But Salah finally edged Liverpool ahead with a 77th-minute penalty. Moments later, Atletico were awarded a penalty of their own, only for VAR to rule it out.
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Eventually, Liverpool maintained their composure in the face of a highly motivated opposition to seal the win. With the win, the Reds maintain their 100% record in the Champions League this campaign, sitting pretty atop Group B.
On that note, here are the five hits and flops from either team from a truly riveting game at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid:
#5 Hit: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Is there a more in-form player in the world than Mohamed Salah at the moment? Despite not being at his fluent best, the Egyptian netted for the ninth straight game to help his side claim three crucial points.
It was Salah who opened the scoring in the game with a deflected strike in the eighth minute. Having made it a habit of scoring sensational solo goals of late, there were occasions when dispossessing Salah looked virtually impossible.
He slightly faded as Atletico went on the offensive, but Salah soon reclaimed center stage in the second half. He displayed nerves of steel, as he calmly stroked home a 77th-minute penalty to restore Liverpool's lead, this time for good.
#4 Flop: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
Arguably the only player to have a more tumultuous outing than Keita, Griezmann went from hero to villain during his time on the pitch. The phrase ‘game of two halves’ lends itself to the Frenchman’s performance, as he registered a brace as well as a red card.
Griezmann was superb in the first half, showcasing excellent movement and instinctive finishing to score twice. However, his outing came to an abrupt end less than ten minutes into the restart. While stretching to bring a bouncing ball under control, Griezmann caught Roberto Firmino straight in the head with his studs.
Although there was no malicious intent in the challenge, it was clumsy and irresponsible from Griezmann, and he paid the price for his error. That marked the first time in Champions League history a player scored a brace and also got sent off.
The numerical disadvantage eventually proved costly on the night for Atletico.
#3 Hit: Joel Matip (Liverpool)
With Joe Gomez recovering fully from injury, most people would have expected the Englishman to be slotted straight back into the Liverpool defence. However, Jurgen Klopp chose to start with Matip alongside Virgil van Dijk, and the Cameroonian more than justified that decision with his performance on the night.
One of the more understated performers in an excellent Liverpool side, Matip went about his business quietly and efficiently. Calm and composed on the ball, his ability to bring the ball out from the back set in motion several Liverpool attacks this season.
Against Atletico, though, the defensive side of Matip’s game came to the fore as well. He won the most duels (7) of anyone in the game, standing firm in the face of Atletico's pacy attack. Matip's defensive contributions were as crucial as his teammates’ attacking ones as Liverpool claimed a hard-fought win.
#2 Flop: Naby Keita (Liverpool)
The first half was a topsy-turvy affair played at a frenetic pace, and Naby Keita certainly experienced his ups and downs. From scoring in the 13th minute to being replaced by half-time, Keita experienced an outing of mixed emotions.
Keita began the game in spectacular fashion, lashing in a volley to score his side’s second goal. However, the Guinea midfielder struggled to cope with Atletico’s pace and physicality, and was dribbled past far too easily on multiple occasions.
As such, having been bypassed with great ease for both of Atletico’s goals, Keita was promptly hooked at half-time.
#1 Hit: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)
While most people were relishing the prospect of witnessing Luis Suarez take on his former side, Diego Simeone had other ideas. Simeone opted instead to deploy Felix up front with Griezmann, and it was a move that paid rich dividends.
The Portuguese international was excellent on the ball, creating three chances and claiming an assist during his time on the pitch. His dribbling skills were on full display, especially for Griezmann’s second goal, when Felix twisted past Naby Keita with consummate ease.
Unfortunately for Felix and Atletico, Griezmann’s sending-off forced them to take slightly more conservative measures, which then limited the Portuguese's influence on the game.
