Liverpool beat Atletico Madrid for the second game in succession and won their first four games of the Champions League group stage for the first time ever, progressing to the last 16 with first place also confirmed.

However, Jurgen Klopp downplayed the idea that he may tinker with the lineup for the remaining group games.

“The team we line up depends on the situation we are in around the game,” Klopp said to Liverpoolfc.com. “Who was how in the game before, who is the next opponent. That was always [the case], it’s not now just for these games, that’s how it is.

“We changed five times tonight because we don’t consider the Madrid game more important than the West Ham game, for example, so you have to make changes even when players might not like it in a specific moment.

“The Porto game, there is only one difference: we are already qualified. Forget that because we already qualified but all the rest is exactly like it was before. It is a Champions League game, the next one is at home, the game after that is at the San Siro and I’ve never played there, so I’m really excited about that.

“We will play at home [against Porto] and play real football. Can you imagine we play Porto at home, the crowd is really coming from all over the world to watch the games and then you offer, I don’t know, a half-cooked dish?”

His eagerness to win the final two games can be backed up by his choice to play the likes of Fabinho, Mo Salah and Diogo Jota against Midtjylland in their final group game last season after they had achieved the same feat with one game to go.

Kostas Tsimikas also played that night and himself and Jota were taken off after picking up injuries.

Jota, who had been a regular figure in matchday squads and starting eleven in the lead-up to the game in Norway, missed 18 games as a result of his injury.

“That is pretty not much how it will be [choosing a weak squad]. We go for it, we want to win football games, that’s all.

“Sometimes you can qualify for something, sometimes not, it is still the same thing – you play a game, you want to win it, show it.”

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They follow in the footsteps of Bayern Munich and Juventus, who also qualified for the knockout stages in this round but Liverpool are the only side to have first place wrapped up after four games in the group stage.

Their performance in front of their home fans was one that saw the game wrapped up by half time after they terrorised the Spanish side’s centre-halves.

Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané got on the end of balls put into the box by Trent Alexander-Arnold to score from close range.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised his right-back’s performance after nabbing two assists that led Liverpool to the last 16.

“He’s a good player obviously and he has a pretty impressive right foot and his awareness is outstanding,” he said to Liverpoolfc.com.

“When he’s on top of his game, he’s outstanding, that’s how it is. But how we set up the first goal with the triangle with Hendo, Mo on that side, in the end, Trent has all of the space and time in the world to put the cross in.

“Second goal, obviously Sadio with his incredible skill set, just physically so strong, technically so good, getting rid of the defender, passing the ball to Hendo, Hendo outside and then getting through the gap, so that’s good football.

“And in the end, Trent can cross as good as he wants, if there’s no receiver in the middle then they don’t look that good, so it’s a nice mix.”

Atletico Madrid centre-half Felipe was oblivious to Jota’s presence for the first goal and allowed Mané to get into a good position to tap home the second.

His night got worse when he was given his marching orders towards the end of the first half – a tactical foul on Mané was deemed to have been worthy of a red.

Jota and former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez both had the ball in the net in the second half but VAR ruled them out and the score remained 2-0.

“If Bobby Firmino wouldn’t have gone off with a hamstring injury that would have been much better.

“But from pretty much all other points of view, it was a good performance, it’s an incredible group stage so far.

“I wouldn’t have expected that obviously when I saw the draw – nobody would have expected that. Doing that is pretty special.

“But for tonight, job done but we all know there are two games to go and we will try everything to win them as well. That’s how it is.”

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That fixture saw the Spaniards come out on top and progress in the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League but Liverpool are the ones with the upper hand heading into their latest game with each other.

Mohamed Salah scored twice as the visitors came away with all three points at the Wanda Metropolitano.

The two sides meet for the second time in as many games in Group B of the competition, with their hopes for qualification playing an important role in their upcoming match.

Liverpool will qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League if they win in front of their fans.

Atletico, on the other hand, need to win to ensure that they stay in second place and put pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have yet to drop a point in the group.

A loss to the six-time European Cup winners will open the door for Porto to leapfrog them and move into second place with just two games to go.

Naby Keita and James Milner will be unavailable for Liverpool while Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara are set to make their returns to the matchday squad.

The squad list for Atletico’s trip to Merseyside does not their fourth-highest goalscorer of all time Antoine Griezmann, who played a key role in attack alongside Joao Felix in the reverse fixture.

Griezmann was sent off in the reverse fixture after a high boot caught Roberto Firmino in the face.

Stefan Savic, Marcos Llorente, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Thomas Llorente have not travelled with Diego Simeone’s team.

Teams

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Trent, Matip, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Fabinho, Henderson (C), Oxlade-Chamberlain; Salah, Jota, Mané.

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Thiago, Firmino, Konate, Origi, Minamino, Robertson, Phillips, Morton.

Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Giménez, Hermoso; Correa, De Paul, Koke (C), Carrasco; Felix, Suarez.

Subs: Lecomte, Iturbe, Lodi, Vrsaljko, Gonzalez, Herrera, Serrano, Carlos, Cunha.

Odds

Liverpool 8/13

Draw 14/5

Atletico Madrid 4/1

Where To Watch

The match will kick-off at 8 pm and will be available to watch live on Virgin Media 2 with coverage beginning at 7 pm.

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The six-time winners came out on top in a hectic Group B battle at the Wanda Metropolitano in the Spanish capital to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2021/22 season.

It was Liverpool’s second-ever win against the Spanish champions and their first since April 2010.

Liverpool now sit five points ahead of Porto and last night’s opponents on nine points in the group table and a win against Atletico at Anfield would seal a spot in the last 16.

Milner praised his team for getting three points at Atletico’s home ground – the side had struggled against them in Spain back in March of last year.

Speaking to liverpoolfc.com, the number seven said: “Obviously it’s a tough place to come, a well-organised team, difficult to play against, passionate fans, passionate manager.

“It’s not just the football side of things, obviously it’s the atmosphere and everything that goes with it. So to come here and get three points is a great day’s work.”

Liverpool now need only two points to confirm their place in the knockout stage of the UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in a row under Jurgen Klopp.

The Merseyside team have never failed to progress past the group stage under the German manager.

If they were to miss out on a spot in the Round of 16, a spot in the last 32 of the UEFA Europa League is confirmed after their win last night and Porto’s victory over AC Milan.

“Now we’re in a strong position in the group but we need to keep our foot down and keep this run of form going.

“We’ve got plenty of games coming up thick and fast, so we need to keep performing and putting in the performances.”

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Liverpool sit top of Group B with two wins from two and eight goals to their name while Atletico are two points behind after a last-gasp win over AC Milan in their most recent Champions League match.

Jurgen Klopp’s redmen will be looking to avenge their 2019/20 Round of 16 loss to the Spanish side, who entered the competition this year as Spanish champions.

Los Rojiblancos have had more ball-dominant showings in their recent European games than is usually expected of them but they will face a tough test if they choose to continue to play progressively against the 2019 Champions League winners.

However, the side have already committed 25 fouls in their first two games and may frustrate Liverpool through the use of some tactical takedowns.

Both games have seen their opposition reduced to 10 men – Liverpool will want to avoid adding to that trend.

Brazilians Alisson and Fabinho will be in contention for tonight’s team after missing the Watford fixture at the weekend.

Curtis Jones has not made the trip to Madrid with the rest of the squad, the midfielder instead remaining on Merseyside to build up his fitness after missing out at the weekend with a minor injury.

Thiago Alcantara has missed Liverpool’s last five games with a calf issue and is expected not to be in the squad but Roberto Firmino could make his 300th appearance for the club in all competitions.

Jose Gimenez, Marcos Llorente and Matheus Cunha are available again, following a brief spell on the sidelines for the trio.

Giminez and Llorente were part of the side that took down the defending champions in 2019/20, with Llorente’s substitution being a key moment in Atletico’s victory last March.

Atletico were granted the weekend off by La Liga to prepare for the fixture.

Teams

Atletico Madrid (5-3-2): Oblak; Trippier, Felipe, Kondogbia, Hermoso, Carrasco; Koke, Lemar, De Paul; Felix, Griezmann.

Subs: Lecomte, Giminez, Lodi, Vrsaljko, Llorente, Herrera, Suarez, Correa, Cunha.

Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Milner, Keita; Mane, Salah, Firmino.

Subs: Adrian, Kelleher, Fabinho, Konate, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Jota, Tsimikas, Origi, Phillips, Williams.

Odds

Atletico Madrid 23/10

Draw 11/5

Liverpool 6/5

Where To Watch

The game will kick-off at 8 pm and will be available to watch live on RTÉ 2 and the RTÉ Player from 7:30 pm.

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The meeting between the two European giants will be the first since the competition’s final in 2007 in Athens, where Milan got revenge on Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool for their 2005 loss.

Both sides have seen themselves regress and, in recent years, return to the upper echelons of club football in Europe.

Liverpool added a sixth European Cup to their trophy cabinets in 2019 but are still one shy of Milan’s seven.

Klopp said in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference: “Of course, 2005 I have more in my mind than 2007…I was thinking about not watching the second half…I’m glad I didn’t switch over!

“If you would think of any European battle, then I think Liverpool vs. AC Milan is a must watch! It’s one you want to see.

“It will be a tough game for both sides.”

On top of the fixture making a return, the fans will also return to Anfield for a European fixture.

It will be the first time Anfield has been allowed fans for such a fixture since the infamous Champions League round of 16 second-leg against Atletico Madrid in March 2020.

Then, the coronavirus pandemic took hold and a lockdown was put in place – fans did not return to Anfield for any of Liverpool’s fixtures in the competition in 2020/21.

Liverpool’s stadium is famous for its atmosphere, especially on European nights and Klopp is happy to see fans make a return.

“It was a long time ago we had a Champions League game at home, now the opportunity to experience again the atmosphere Anfield is able to produce.

“We spoke a lot in the past, rightly so, about the European nights at Anfield and I cannot wait to experience that now! It will be great and I’m really looking forward to it!”

Liverpool host AC Milan in the first of six group stage games for the side in Group B of the UEFA Champions League. The match will kick-off at 8 pm.

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Trippier has been very successful in his two-year spell on the red side of Madrid, most recently winning the La Liga last year. It got off to a bad start after being banned for a few months due to a minor betting scandal but he has turned it around.

With some impressive performances, he was able to earn the first-team place at right-back over Sime Vrsaljko and has since been a favourite of Diego Simeone.

He has also proven himself to be an important part of England’s World Cup 2018 and Euro 2020 side that reached a semi-final and final respectively. He played in five games of the Three Lions European Championship run this summer.

Trippier developed a reputation for having a dangerous right boot from the wing and set pieces.

Trippier https://t.co/OSTUynuNRH pic.twitter.com/4V79xx00R3

— Karim A. Adly (@20ADLY) August 18, 2021

Now it seems like a move back to the Premier League is inevitable with Arsenal and Manchester United hot on his heels. Atletico Madrid will not want to lose the 30-year-old for cheap and will not let him go for less than his release clause, according to Spanish news outlet AS.

His current release clause in Madrid is worth a steep €60 million. Rumours have circulated that the Reds made offers of €20 and €30 million but they were both swiftly rejected.

() Whilst nothing has significantly progressed, Manchester United remain interested in Kieran Trippier , and that there is still a chance it may happen. [@JonathanShrager] #MUFC pic.twitter.com/0c37KnjgzD

— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) August 15, 2021

United seem eager to sign the player even though they have a very talented full back in Aaron Wan-Bissaka already at the club. Arsenal, on the flip side, are lacking true quality in this position.

Hector Bellerin is the only option that has shown his ability in this position but he seems out of favour under Arteta. The Spaniard was also linked with a move away this summer so he could be used to soften the financial burden if they make it a cash plus player deal for Trippier.

Héctor Bellerín wants to leave the club & a swap deal involving Kieran Trippier remains a genuine prospect, while Alexandre Lacazette, Sead Kolasinac, Willian & Alex Runarsson are among the players who could leave before the end of the month. [@ChrisWheatley_] #afc pic.twitter.com/v3JbEyYDcX

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 19, 2021

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The England international is currently at the Euro’s and has two years left on his contract.

The Spanish champions don’t want to let sell the defender but will listen to offers if any club meets their demands.

United are looking to add reinforcements at right-back with Aaron Wan Bissaka in need of competition.

Madrid has not received an offer for the 30-year-old, who won his first title for Diego Simeone’s title-winning campaign.

Man United will look to improve on their defence, with last years acquisition of left-back Alex Telles bringing out the best in Luke Shaw.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is also looking at other alternatives, with Norwich’s highly-rated defender Max Aarons gaining interest from both United and Arsenal.

United are also in the market for a marquee signing. With their much-maligned transfer saga for Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho still up in the air.

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton is on the verge of signing for United subsequent to medical and personal terms. He is set to sign a deal until 2023.

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Football clubs are businesses, that’s a fact. The owners of these clubs strive to maintain a profitable model while competing at a top level year after year. However, without fans, none of this would be possible. This makes it all the more frustrating when you consider that fans are routinely pushed aside when it comes to interests regarding the football clubs they support.

The last few years have seen unprecedented levels of greed from many football club owners, particularly those competing in the top 5 European leagues. This has resulted in plans for a so-called “European Super League”, a competition which contains 12 of Europe’s top clubs, has no promotion or relegation and was formulated purely to protect the financial interests of the club’s involved.

Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid and Barcelona are the clubs in question.

Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund all rejected/opposed invitations to the competition.

“The club wants to implement the planned reform of the UEFA Champions League. The plans to found a Super League have been rejected… Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund had 100% identical views,” expressed Dortmund in an official statement made earlier today.

UEFA also completely oppose the plans put in place, even going as far to say that heavy sanctions will be imposed on clubs and players who take part in the competition.

“We are all united against this nonsense of a project… The players that will play in the closed league will be banned from playing in the World Cup and Euros,” confirmed UEFA president Alex Ceferin.

HOW FOOTBALLERS HAVE REACTED TO THE PLAN

The majority of football fans are completely against the formation of the European Super League and that extends to current and ex-pros, as well.

Several pundits made their opinions on the project clear yesterday, including Gary Neville who made a passionate argument against the formation of the competition.

“I’m disgusted, absolutely disgusted. I’m disgusted with Manchester United and Liverpool the most,” said Neville while appearing on Sky Sports yesterday.

“Liverpool say they’re the people’s club. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, the fans’ club. Manchester United, 100 years, born from workers around here, and they’re breaking into a league without competition. It’s an absolute disgrace.”

Paris Saint-Germain footballer Ander Herrera was one of the first current pros to chime in with their opinion. He released a statement earlier today expressing concerns over the league.

pic.twitter.com/C9zV59zJxH

— Ander Herrera (@AnderHerrera) APRIL 19, 2021

A number of footballers have since followed Herrera in publicly stating their opposition to the plan.

Kids grow up dreaming to win the World Cup and the Champions League – not any Super League. The enjoyment of big games is that they only happen once or twice a year, not every week. Really hard to understand for all football fans out there…

— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) April 19, 2021

‘Dreams can’t be bought’

Bruno Fernandes shared this post from Portugal team-mate Daniel Podence on his Instagram story pic.twitter.com/aIHhUHZ53i

— Goal (@goal) April 19, 2021

pic.twitter.com/A8WIIUCHrH

— Marcus Rashford MBE (@MarcusRashford) April 20, 2021

| "I don't like it and I hope it doesn't happen."

James Milner speaks out against the proposed breakaway European Super League…#MNF pic.twitter.com/NkMmNJhiyA

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 19, 2021

Jordan Henderson has called a meeting of all the Premier League captains in response to the Super League announcement, reports @MikeKeegan_DM pic.twitter.com/Q2YkUCuIrV

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 20, 2021

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The Champions League round of 16 continued tonight after it’s commencement last week which seen a number of surprise results, no less than PSG’s impressive 4-1 victory over Barcelona.

Tonight’s fixtures seen Chelsea and Atlético Madrid meet in the neutral venue of the National Arena in Romania, Lazio were in a more familiar setting as they faced current Champions League champions Bayern Munich in Stadio Olimpico.

Here’s how the fixtures played out.

Atlético Madrid vs. Chelsea

Despite their less than impressive early season form, Chelsea look a rejuvenated side under the management of Thomas Tuchel.

Before their draw against Southampton at the weekend, they won their previous 5 games in all competitions.

Atlético Madrid, though, were going to be no pushovers. Despite normally finding themselves in the shadow of their competition Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atlético have shown this season that they’re a force to be reckoned with, currently sitting 1st in La Liga.

Despite being played in a neutral venue in Romania, Chelsea were seen as the away side meaning they would have the advantage of away goals.

In truth, it wasn’t a match of many opportunities and it always looked likely that a moment of magic would separate the two sides.

That moment was provided by Olivier Giroud. He scored a spectacular bicycle kick from the penalty spot after a slight mix up in the box. Initially, the goal was disallowed but after some consultation with VAR, the decision was overturned and the goal stood.

Crucially, Giroud’s strike also counted as a Chelsea away goal which would be crucial going into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Giroud’s strike made the difference in the end as the match finished 1-0 to Chelsea.

Lazio vs. Bayern Munich

Current Bundesliga and Champions League title holders Bayern Munich travelled to Rome in tonight’s other fixture to take on Lazio.

Bayern unusually failed to pick up a win in their last two Bundesliga games, drawing 3-3 with Arminia and losing 2-1 to Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend. Despite this, they were still seen as favourites for the tie given the strength of their side.

It didn’t take long for them to show why they were favourites going into the game.

Current FIFA Player of the Year Robert Lewandowski opened the scoring just before the 10 minute mark. The goal came as a result of a poor back pass from a Lazio defender which fell straight to Lewandowski’s feet who rounded the keeper and slotted into the net with ease.

17-year-old English underage international Jamal Musiala was a surprise inclusion in the first XI but he proved he was worth his place in the squad by doubling Bayern’s advantage in the 23rd minute. He finished low into the net from the edge of the area after a flowing Bayern build-up.

Leroy Sané scored his side’s 3rd just before half time with a tap-in from a rebound.

Bayern started the second half much as they finished the first.

They launched a counter attack from a Lazio corner shortly after the second half commenced before Leroy Sané’s low cross was diverted into the net by Lazio defender, Francesco Acerbi.

However, Lazio did get one back just minutes afterwards. Joaquin Correa received the ball just outside the box before dribbling past a couple of challenges and finishing low into the net.

No further goals followed as the match finished as a convincing 4-1 victory to Bayern Munich which will likely take them through to the next round.

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