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Updated April 3rd, 2020 at 12:36 IST

Liverpool top club official regrets club playing UCL clash against Atletico Madrid: Report

A Liverpool top official has claimed that the Reds' clash against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League shouldn't have taken place amid coronavirus crisis.

Reported by: Minaam Ansari
Liverpool
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The Champions League clash between Liverpool and Atletico Madrid shouldn’t have been played, claims the Reds’ Director of Public Health, Matthew Ashton. The second leg of the Round of 16 Champions League was played at Anfield on March 11 (March 12 IST). Liverpool were knocked out of the competition by Atletico Madrid.

Also Read | Liverpool vs Atletico highlights: Jurgen Klopp's men stunned at Anfield

Liverpool vs Atletico highlights: Club official speaks on UCL game vs Atletico Madrid

While speaking to The Guardian, Matthew Ashton claimed that it was not the right decision to play the fixture against Atletico Madrid. However, he clarified that he was not raising doubts over the advice of the scientists or medical officers, because of which the game went ahead. However, he did assert that the government failed to ascertain the complexity of the situation at that time.

Also Read | Liverpool vs Atletico highlights: Diego Costa trolls Anfield journos with mock Coronavirus cough

Liverpool vs Atletico highlights: Anfield UCL clash could have been a coronavirus hotspot

Ashton claimed that the game at Anfield could have been one of the events that led to the rise of the coronavirus crisis in Liverpool. He hoped that this event would be a lesson for life and something that shouldn’t be repeated in the future. Around 54,000 people attended the game at Anfield on March 11.

Liverpool vs Atletico highlights: Atletico Madrid triumph at Metropolitano

The first leg of the UCL clash between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool was played at the Wanda Metropolitano. At that point in time, the situation of coronavirus in Spain didn't quite hit the roof. Diego Simeone's men scored the only goal of the night after Saul Niguez scored in the 4th minute. Liverpool failed to score and then looked to win the tie at Anfield.

Also Read | Guardiola donates one million euros to fight coronavirus in Spain

Liverpool vs Atletico highlights: Atletico Madrid progress in UCL

The second leg of the clash was a more exciting contest as the two sides strived hard to progress to the quarter-final. The game was decided by extra-time play after a 1-1 tie in the initial 90 minutes. However, a brace from Atletico Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente and a goal from Alvaro Morata led to Liverpool being knocked out of the competition.

Also Read | Coronavirus in Spain: FC Barcelona to stop training Saturday onwards after virus outbreak

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Published April 3rd, 2020 at 12:36 IST

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