Atletico Madrid 2-3 Liverpool: Hits and flops as Liverpool edge out Atletico in 5-goal thriller | UEFA Champions League 2021-22

#3 Hit: Joel Matip (Liverpool)

Joel Matip was excellent in defence for Liverpool on the night.

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.

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#2 Flop: Naby Keita (Liverpool)

Despite his first-half wonder-goal, Keita was hooked off at half-time.

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.

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#1 Hit: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid)

Joao Felix was superb on the ball for Atletico on the night.

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.