Liverpool Overcomes Marco Llorente’s Curse After Beating Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League

Liverpool prevails

Liverpool had unfinished business with Marcos Llorente since that elimination on the eve of the lockdown in March 2020. The 'Reds' do not forget the four goals that the player has scored here. And a fifth arrived. But this time Liverpool knew how to come back, start this Champions with a victory, and overcome what Llorente had done in their temple.

It was a worrying sign for the 'Reds' when Llorente, twenty minutes in, took advantage of an assist from Julián Álvarez, back in the starting lineup, to make a statement in front of the 'The Kop' crowd. An image that has haunted English fans for more than half a decade and that cut short their chance to create a dynasty in Europe. Llorente ended the reigning champion that nite, and Liverpool has not sniffed the 'Orejona' again.

But Liverpool's push forced Diego Pablo Simeone's team to retreat. It was hurting an advanced line and an emergency defense, with a tender pair like Van Dijk and Jacquet, who have barely played a few matches together, and because the right-back was Ronald Araújo, as it is not possible to rely on Jeremie Frimpong. But the team retreated in the face of local assaults.

Liverpool took control of the match and, although this Andoni Iraola's team still has a long way to go in their development, they have more than enough weapons to cause damage. If it's not Isak, it's Wirt, if not, Barcola, and if not, Ngumoha. And if the midfielders join in, Liverpool responds.

Wirtz had already deserved it, with a volley that was cleared by another hero of this stadium, Jan Oblak, but the prize went to Szoboszlai, after a surreal backheel from Araújo inside the box. The Uruguayan played the role of assistant and allowed the Hungarian to equalize before halftime. Simeone's morale fell, and the team was affected by the goal.

As soon as the second half started, spaces in the red-and-white defense opened up, and Barcola should have scored the 2-1 in a one-on-one that a player worth 140 million must score without fail. On top of that, a few minutes later he got injured.

But in the play following that mistake, after the Liverpool players were able to pass and pass, they reached the Atlético's front line without anyone doing anything, and Alexis Mac Allister hooked the ball with his left foot and completed the comeback.

A vindication for the Argentine, who before the match expressed his resentment against Liverpool for not renewing his contract while renewing those of his teammates in the midfield. He pointed to his chest and said, "here I am."

His goal sealed Atlético's fate, unable to re-engage in the attack, still pondering what would have happened if Liverpool hadn't pressed them so hard after Llorente's goal and if they had sought more when there were spaces, while Iraola's team wondered if this was going to be their first European disappointment of the season.

With time almost up and Atlético clinging to a miracle in stoppage time, Frimpong had the third goal disallowed for offside. It didn't matter. The victory stayed at Anfield and Atlético starts off on the wrong foot in this Champions League. It will be a long road to the top eight. EFE

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