TAA: Atletico is a 'rough team' who 'suck you into their way of playing'

Trent Alexander-Arnold revealed that he and his Liverpool team-mates had to devise a gameplan to beat a 'rough' Atletico Madrid side.

The right-back provided both the assists for Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane to fire the Reds ahead in their Champions League clash at Anfield on Wednesday.

The relatively routine 2-0 win secured Liverpool's safe passage to the last-16 as they top Group B.

The evening was relaxed for Jurgen Klopp's side in comparison to the dramatic fixture in Madrid last month that saw Liverpool salvage all three points despite fumbling an early 2-0 lead.

But Wednesday night wasn't without some theatrics as Atletico defender Felipe was given a surprise red card against Liverpool after a cynical trip on Mane, followed by a booking for ex-Red Luis Suarez for dissent.

Alexander-Arnold revealed Liverpool were prepared for Diego Simeone's side's 'rough' antics and refused to be sucked into their style of play.

'It was an important one for us,' he told BT Sport. 'Every game is important but we stuck to our gameplan. We got those early goals.

'We have learnt our lesson from Madrid when we were 2-0 up. We were able to see it through and dominate the game.

'We know what type of team they are. They like to suck you in to their way of playing. They are a rough team but we kept to our plan. Moved the ball quickly and scored the two goals.'

Atletico also had a player sent off during the clash in Madrid when Antoine Griezmann received his first Champions League red card for a high foot on Roberto Firmino.

There were concerns Liverpool might finish with a red card of their own on Wednesday but Klopp made the decision to withdraw goalscorer Mane, who had already been booked, after he was involved in skirmishes with Atletico’s defence.