STEVEN GERRARD hailed Liverpool’s never-say-die attitude after his injury time penalty rescued a point against Atletico Madrid last night.
The captain was brought down by Luis Perea and converted the spot-kick just as Liverpool were poised for their first home defeat of the campaign.
But once again they produced another late fightback to leave them joint top with the Spaniards of their Champions League group and still in prime position to qualify for the knockout stages.
PSV Eindhoven failed to apply pressure on the Anfield outfit as they lost to Marseille and Gerrard said: “That was a big point for us. We showed a lot of character and that keeps us joint top of the group so now we move on. We controlled the game in the first half but credit to Atletico. We had to raise our again, which we did, and we controlled them in the second half so it was a deserved point.”
Swedish referee Martin Hansson had to consult his assistant in awarding the decisive penalty as he took his time over the decision.
It prompted furious protests from Atletico’s players, who were on the verge of a win that would have secured their place in the last 16 with two group games still to go.
But Gerrard said: “I got to the ball first and was caught. If that happened outside the area it would definitely have been a free-kick so a penalty was the right decision.”
Manager Rafael Benitez agreed, especially as Perea got away with a handball early in the second half. He said: “That was a clear penalty so we deserved the break to get us back in the game.
“We have that fighting spirit and it’s important that we keep it going, because that is what gets you results.
“We have come from behind five or six times this season but we do have problems. You still have to take your chances because at the weekend we missed some as well, and that is often the difference.”
Benitez also admitted his disappointment that his team still has work to do to make the next round when they could have assured their qualification with a win in either of their two games with Atletico.
Simao denied them victory in Madrid with a late equaliser two weeks ago and Maxi Rodriguez stalled their progress when he struck in the first half last night. Benitez added: “We have to be disappointed because we talked before about winning the game and how important that would be for us. But we have one more point than we had before we started so that is also positive.
“Atletico and ourselves are still in a fantastic position.”
Benitez revealed that Fernando Torres was close to making his comeback after a lay-off with hamstring injury.
However, he decided not to risk including the Spanish striker in the squad, but is confident he can be fit in time for the visit of West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre refused to attack referee Hansson for the late penalty decision which cost his side victory.
He said: “I was a long way from the incident so I could not see properly. But how things change in one minute of football.
“We were in the last 16 and Marseille had beaten PSV, and then we concede a penalty and it is snatched away, but we just have to keep on fighting.
“But I was still very happy with the team effort and the way we worked as a group, maybe we did not get the win we deserved.
“But one point will help us, we have regained great self-esteem, we are recovering from damaging defeats in our league form and this was still an excellent performance.”
The captain was brought down by Luis Perea and converted the spot-kick just as Liverpool were poised for their first home defeat of the campaign.
But once again they produced another late fightback to leave them joint top with the Spaniards of their Champions League group and still in prime position to qualify for the knockout stages.
PSV Eindhoven failed to apply pressure on the Anfield outfit as they lost to Marseille and Gerrard said: “That was a big point for us. We showed a lot of character and that keeps us joint top of the group so now we move on. We controlled the game in the first half but credit to Atletico. We had to raise our again, which we did, and we controlled them in the second half so it was a deserved point.”
Swedish referee Martin Hansson had to consult his assistant in awarding the decisive penalty as he took his time over the decision.
It prompted furious protests from Atletico’s players, who were on the verge of a win that would have secured their place in the last 16 with two group games still to go.
But Gerrard said: “I got to the ball first and was caught. If that happened outside the area it would definitely have been a free-kick so a penalty was the right decision.”
Manager Rafael Benitez agreed, especially as Perea got away with a handball early in the second half. He said: “That was a clear penalty so we deserved the break to get us back in the game.
“We have that fighting spirit and it’s important that we keep it going, because that is what gets you results.
“We have come from behind five or six times this season but we do have problems. You still have to take your chances because at the weekend we missed some as well, and that is often the difference.”
Benitez also admitted his disappointment that his team still has work to do to make the next round when they could have assured their qualification with a win in either of their two games with Atletico.
Simao denied them victory in Madrid with a late equaliser two weeks ago and Maxi Rodriguez stalled their progress when he struck in the first half last night. Benitez added: “We have to be disappointed because we talked before about winning the game and how important that would be for us. But we have one more point than we had before we started so that is also positive.
“Atletico and ourselves are still in a fantastic position.”
Benitez revealed that Fernando Torres was close to making his comeback after a lay-off with hamstring injury.
However, he decided not to risk including the Spanish striker in the squad, but is confident he can be fit in time for the visit of West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
Atletico Madrid manager Javier Aguirre refused to attack referee Hansson for the late penalty decision which cost his side victory.
He said: “I was a long way from the incident so I could not see properly. But how things change in one minute of football.
“We were in the last 16 and Marseille had beaten PSV, and then we concede a penalty and it is snatched away, but we just have to keep on fighting.
“But I was still very happy with the team effort and the way we worked as a group, maybe we did not get the win we deserved.
“But one point will help us, we have regained great self-esteem, we are recovering from damaging defeats in our league form and this was still an excellent performance.”
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