Atletico Madrid humbled Liverpool in a Champions League match that saw the Reds missing all the attempts to equalize. The campaign to retain the European title is still a long way to go but the setback, minor it might be, pointed to the fact that there is room for improvements that the club must work on.
That was the take from former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher, who noted the goal kicked in by Atletico was registered early in the game but went unanswered. The scoreboard read 1-0, and it stayed the same until the final time.
Carragher said there is no cause for alarm, and he stressed the disappointment should be erased when the tie resumes in Anfield after two weeks. However, work awaits the Reds led by Jurgen Klopp to ensure that a better result will be greeting them.
In particular, Liverpool will need to beef up on the midfield area, which proved a weak spot of the team following the defeat against Atletico.
"Liverpool didn't get too frustrated but they couldn't create anything, they don't have real creativity, certainly in midfield. That's always been a problem," Metro reported the Liverpool legend as saying.
This fact was illustrated when Liverpool failed to respond to the early score cleared by Atletico's Saul Niguez. It should be noted though that the Spanish side displayed firm determination to win the match, said Carragher, adding, "you have to say Atletico defended really well."
Still, Carragher is convinced Liverpool will be able to get past the temporary frustration. He stressed: "The important thing for Liverpool was not to lose their discipline."
Meanwhile, even before the match with Atletico, it would seem that Liverpool had a ready ticket for the next season of the Champions League, per the report by BBC.
Due to the recent match results in the Premier League, the Reds have secured their spot for a Top 4 finish in the competition and possibly winning the league title as well for the first time. No other team in the league is expected to overtake Liverpool, which at the most, has a total of 76 points.
In theory, the highest that any of the rivals can reach at the end of the campaign is 74, so the Reds are in a comfortable place to cruise through a UCL slot even in the unlikely scenario that the club will be stuck at 76 points.
As per the Premier League table shows at the moment, the Reds are sure to compete in the next UCL season.
"They are the first team in Europe to secure their spot in the elite competition in European football for the 2020-21 season," BBC said.
Of note, Liverpool will not only secure Champions League by the end of the season, but also the club could clinch the Premier League title as early as March 7. That will happen if the Reds will win all their matches heading to the date mentioned.
