Liverpool threatened in five-minute spells creating a chance here, a chance there, but never looked like upsetting the Spanish giants.
Mo Salah squandered Liverpool’s best chances and there was no better chance than the one that came to him after two minutes, when he found himself on the penalty spot with just Thibaut Courtois to beat. Nine times out of ten, you would have fancied the Egyptian to score – especially with the ball on his left foot – but a tame effort came off the Madrid keeper’s left foot and went to safety.
It felt like a massive moment in the game. Divock Origi’s early goal in the Barcelona semi two years ago put the frighteners up the Catalans and gave Liverpool the momentum to go on and perform a miracle; but this time there was no such turning point and Madrid instead of suffering a psychological blow were boosted and put themselves in a position to take the sting out of the game, which they did, more or less, for the rest of the first half.
James Milner – captaining the side tonight – had a curling shot saved with a strong hand by Courtois; Wijnaldum and, again, Salah, shot over the bar from inside the box – good chances, which Liverpool needed to take.
Madrid rarely threatened to score an away goal that would’ve put the tie even further beyond Liverpool’s reach, though Karim Benzema’s deflected shot did hit the post.
Liverpool started the second half as they started the first, on the front foot, and created good chances, this time it was Roberto Firmino who found himself in the area but his fierce shot was straight at Courtois, who parried comfortably. Further chances fell to Salah but there was hesitancy and anxiety in his finishing – as there has been all season with Liverpool’s strikers – and no breakthrough accrued.
Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara came on after 60 minutes for Ozan Kabak – Fabinho dropped into defence – and Milner; but neither managed to affect the game. Jota had one chance deflected behind, while Thiago gave the ball away or overhit his passes too many times. Unfortunately, the Spanish midfielder in his first season with the Reds, has flattered to deceive and his omission from the starting 11 in such a big game speaks volumes for his indifferent form since arriving.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Xherdan Shaqiri came on for Firmino and Sadio Mané with 10 minutes to go, but made no impact and the game fizzled out, Madrid looking in control, to a goalless draw and Madrid going through to the semis having won 3-1 in the first leg.
Liverpool’s season has only seven games to go, all in the Premier League, with the aim being to finish in the top four. The Reds face Leeds United on Monday.
