The Reds secured their berth in the knockout stages with a routine 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid, with Trent Alexander-Arnold playing a starring role.
Liverpool are through to the R016 in the UEFA Champions League following a win over Atletico. Diogo Jota scored the opening goal of the game in the 13th minute, heading in at the back post a pin-point delivery by Alexander-Arnold.
The right-back was central to most of what Liverpool created in the opening phases, and it was his line-splitting pass that Sadio Mane latched onto to put his side 2-0 up with just 21 minutes on the board.
Liverpool’s task was made much easier after Felipe received a red card for a reckless challenge on Mane in the 36th minute. The Brazilian stepped on Mane’s trailing foot from behind, leaving the referee with no choice but to give him his marching orders. Jurgen Klopp’s men protected their advantage – of both goals and men – to the very end.
Elsewhere, points-less AC Milan took on Porto, hoping to ignite a late charge that would lead to qualification from Group B. However, the Rossoneri were dealt an early blow when Luis Diaz put Porto ahead with a well-taken finish from close range.
The Colombian – played through by Marco Grujic, who had stolen the ball off Ismael Bennacer – held his nerve and slotted the ball in the corner despite the bodies in the way.
Milan remained resolute in their approach, however, and found the equalizer a minute past the hour-mark. Sandro Tonali hit the wall with his free-kick, but the ball squirmed through to Olivier Giroud, whose snap-shot was parried away by Diogo Costa, albeit only as far as Pierre Kalulu. The young full-back fired the rebound goalwards, and it was turned into his net by defender Chancel Mbemba.
With two games to play, Milan trail Porto and Atletico Madrid by four and three points, respectively. The Rossoneri play Atleti in their penultimate game before facing a visit from the already qualified Liverpool.
