Liverpool cruise into knockout rounds as Atletico see red

Liverpool marched into the knockout stages of the Champions League with two games to spare after a convincing 2-0 victory over 10-man Atletico Madrid at Anfield guaranteed them top spot in Group B.

Diogo Jota put Juergen Klopp’s side ahead in the 13th minute on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), nodding home at the back post after a great cross from the right by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold was again the provider for the second goal eight minutes later when his low ball into the box was brilliantly met by Sadio Mane, who fired past Jan Oblak.

The Spanish side’s troubles intensified after Felipe was sent off in the 36th minute for a deliberate trip on Mane that earned him a harsh straight red.

Jota thought he had his second, and Liverpool’s third, shortly after the interval, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review. Former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez also had a deflected effort, which beat Alisson Becker, ruled out by VAR for offside.

AC Milan remain bottom of the group after earning their first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Porto. Luis Díaz netted an early opener for Porto and Milan goalkeeper Ciprian Tătărușanu kept his side in the match with a string of fine saves before an own-goal from visiting defender Chancel Mbemba salvaged a home draw for the Rossoneri.

Elsewhere, Karim Benzema scored twice, including Real Madrid’s 1000th goal in Europe’s top club competition, as the Spanish powerhouse defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 to go top of Group D.

Benzema netted the club’s milestone goal in European Cup-Champions League games after the Shakhtar defence gave the ball away less than 15 minutes into the match at the Bernabeu.

Fernando equalised for the visitors before half-time but Benzema got the winner in the second half in a match the hosts struggled to control and were jeered by part of the crowd.

“We didn’t play well but we got the victory,” Benzema said. “Sometimes you can’t play at your best. The most important thing was to win the three points. It was a difficult match for us, against a very good opponent.”

Inter Milan produced three second-half goals in a 3-1 win at upstart Sheriff to move into a qualifying position behind Real in Group D.

Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 4-1 victory over Brugge to move to within sight of the knockout rounds, although it was not a trouble-free night for Pep Guardiola’s side.

In the end, goals by Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus earned a comfortable enough victory to leave City top with nine points from four games in Group A. But after a John Stones own goal gave Brugge an early equaliser, there were periods in which City looked uncomfortable.

In the group’s other game, two goals from Georginio Wijnaldum weren’t enough for Paris Saint-Germain to beat Leipzig as the German club salvaged a 2-2 draw with a stoppage-time penalty.

PSG were on course to go top of Group A ahead of City until Presnel Kimpembe fouled Christopher Nkunku and gave away a penalty. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had saved another Leipzig penalty earlier, but this time substitute Dominik Szoboszlai’s shot was just out of his reach as Leipzig earned their first point of the tournament.

Ajax came from behind to beat 10-man Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in Group C and advance to the knockout stages. In the same group, a double from Pedro Goncalves helped Sporting to a dominant 4-0 home win over Besiktas.

Reuters, AP

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