Anfield Exit
Liverpool are out of the Champions League after failing to overturn last week’s 3-1 defeat in Madrid, drawing 0-0 as the hosts missed a number of chances as the evening ended in frustration and disappointment.
Jurgen Klopp said after the game that the tie was lost in Madrid last week.
Jurgen Klopp: “The performance was good – we lost the tie in Madrid.” #awlfc [bt]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) April 14, 2021
It means their last 4 campaigns have ended with a Madrid connection, after losing to Real in the final, winning the final in the City, losing to Atletico Madrid last season and Real again tonight.
They will now have to turn their attention to the Premier League in order to get back into the competition next season.
The night almost got off to the perfect start when Mo Salah found himself unmarked in the penalty area, but his shot hit Thibaut Courtois’s legs when he really should have scored.
It was one of several good chances Liverpool had, James Milner forced another fine save before Karim Benzema’s deflected effort hit the post for the visitors in what was a frantic opening 20 minutes.
Liverpool continued to attack and create good chances, but they failed to take any of them and half time came with the tie in the exact same position as it had been at the start.
Liverpool continued to pepper Courtois’s goal, but still couldn’t force the break through.
On 65 minutes it was Liverpool’s keeper Alisson’s turn to produce saves as he made a fine double save to deny Vinicius and Benzema.
Liverpool continued to come forward, producing 13 efforts on goal, but they were unable to score and their Champions League campaign ended.
Real Madrid defended well and were disciplined deserving of their victory.
Better team
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 07: James Milner of Liverpool looks dejected during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 7, 2021 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
James Milner speaking after the game said that his side were the better team on the night.
“The performance, intensity and desire were good.”
“You can’t not take the chances we had tonight. We had more than enough.”
An honest James Milner reflects on Liverpool’s exit out of Europe…
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/JMR2EZeqhf
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 14, 2021
“The performance, intensity and desire was good. But you can’t not take the chances we had and that was the difference.”
“The positive is we are creating the chances and the reaction we showed. We were obviously the better team. We did enough to win the game.”
“We wanted to come out of the blocks and set that tempo. If we have played that first leg with the same intensity it would have been very different. Ultimately we weren’t good enough over two games.”
“The most important thing is if we perform with the desire and intensity hopefully we can get into those top four spots.”
Real Madrid will now play Chelsea in the Semi Finals.
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