Milner happy Liverpool overcame getting ‘punished’ by Atletico
Liverpool midfielder James Milner is pleased that his teammates were able to overcome getting “punished” by Atletico Madrid to take all three points.
The Reds faced Atletico Madrid in their latest Champions League group game on Tuesday night. The English side made a fast start as they went two goals ahead early on.
Mohamed Salah’s deflected effort gave them the lead before Naby Keita’s edge of the box volley made it two.
Liverpool win a breathless game that genuinely had everything
Liverpool were made to battle for all three points as Antoine Griezmann brought Madrid level before the break.
The French forward was later sent off and Salah scored a late penalty to secure all three points for Liverpool.
As reported by the club’s official website, Milner said that Liverpool’s win was a “great night’s work” for Jurgen Klopp’s men:
“You always will when you come here. 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.
“That’s what can happen against good teams at this level in these sort of atmospheres. If you take your foot off the gas or make the odd mistake, you get punished – and that’s what happened.
“Obviously we were in full control, and we made the odd mistake here and there and they get back in it and it was very hard to get that momentum back. But fair play to the boys to be able to do that in the second half.
“It’s not easy then going in at half-time because they feel like they are on the up and obviously we’re disappointed with how the first half went in the end. So, to get that momentum back and get the win was pleasing.
On Liverpool’s first goal: “My foot was dangling about! Goals are more important to Mo than me, so it’s another special goal for Mo and a great penalty from him as well. Obviously there was a bit of pressure on it. Him waiting, as always now with the VAR to check, makes it a bit more difficult in that atmosphere to score the penalty. I think he’s done it before at that end, hasn’t he? Same result.”