It was only a friendly, and in the great scheme of things this match means less than zero.
Yet the look in Rafael Benitez's eye afterwards, as he cautiously fielded questions about his summer transfer spending, suggested that more significant issues were raised at Anfield on Saturday than mere defeat to middling Spanish opposition.
The Liverpool boss watched in horror as Jamie Carragher, his only fit senior defender, inevitably limped out of the game after just 14 minutes, with a twisted ankle that required a scan yesterday afternoon.
The prognosis is not serious, but still the Reds will have to wait until at least Wednesday for the swelling to go down to get a clear idea of whether their stalwart will be fit for the opening day of the season.
But with Benitez's two other centre-halves Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger both in a race against time to shake off injuries - and with both clearly far from match fit after missing big chunks of pre-season - it raises the immediate question of resources at Anfield.
It is clear the Merseyside club require a fourth centre-half after the departure of Sami Hyypia in the summer, and yet it is equally clear that there is no money to buy one.
That is a painful situation for Benitez, because he has made a profit in the transfer market this summer, and rightly would expect to reinvest that money generated.
Indeed, when renegotiating his new contract last April, one of the key elements before the Spaniard put pen to paper on a five-year deal was the availability of funds to make the significant signings this summer he felt were required to finally bring the title to Anfield after a wait of 20 years.
At the time, the club's American owners let it be known there was £40million to spend, plus anything Benitez raised in sales. Instead, he has not even been able to spend everything he raised, and the £40m has gone to the banks to reduce debt and secure a refinancing deal.
It is a difficult situation for the manager because he knows he is so close to a title-winning side, perhaps on two or three quality players away.
But his dealings this week will be revealing. It is clear the Anfield boss will try to sign a centre-half, and he revealed at the weekend that he has already been in talks with Phil Brown over Hull's Michael Turner.
Yet he also indicated almost as clearly that he simply doesn't have the funds to meet the £11m asking price, and will instead have to shop in the bargain basement, represented by the £3m rated Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin.
Benitez tried to make light of the situation after the defeat by Atletico Madrid, but it is clear that the financial crisis at Anfield is a huge problem for him...and the club's prospects.
"We were supposed to have some money but I will not talk about figures. On the record or off the record when you talk about figures I think it is clear. I will not say anything. I don't have the answer," Benitez explained.
"We just have to manage with the players we have, and we will try to be ready just in case we can sign someone, but you never know. It depends on the prices."
Despite his caution, Benitez there was clearly revealing his frustration at the lack of funds available, and he even admitted that he is in talks with the owners over simply getting the money to spend he has raised through selling players this summer.
So far, he has no indication that the money will be made available, hence his talk about making do with the players he already has.
It is a desperate situation for Liverpool, who were in their best position for 20 years as genuine title contenders, and yet face going into the season with a smaller, less well-equipped squad than last season when they finished second.
Liverpool's poor pre-season results have illustrated the problems Benitez faces, and not least here, with Atletico's top class strike duo Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan getting a goal apiece as they exploited the inexperience of teenage centre-half pairing Danny Ayala and Mikel San Jose.
But at least there were some positives. Fernando Torres appeared to pull up in the second half with a hamstring problem, but afterwards Benitez insisted it was not serious, and probably just a minor ankle problem.
He also stated that he was 80 per cent confident that two of Carragher, Agger and Skrtel will be available for the opening day game against Spurs and the peculiar threat Peter Crouch will pose.
Torres looked far from match fit in this game, but he still could have scored three or four, and as he gets into the swing of the season will surely again be a devastating threat for Liverpool.
Lucas too, showed that he can fill the gap left by Xabi Alonso's departure and the two-month injury lay-off for new signing Alberto Aquliani, with a good late goal and an energetic attacking display from midfield.
But perhaps the most important indicator of how Liverpool will fare this season - and perhaps over the next few years - will come in the transfer market this week. If Benitez has no funds to make the signings he needs, then it could be a long, hard season.
Yet the look in Rafael Benitez's eye afterwards, as he cautiously fielded questions about his summer transfer spending, suggested that more significant issues were raised at Anfield on Saturday than mere defeat to middling Spanish opposition.
The Liverpool boss watched in horror as Jamie Carragher, his only fit senior defender, inevitably limped out of the game after just 14 minutes, with a twisted ankle that required a scan yesterday afternoon.
The prognosis is not serious, but still the Reds will have to wait until at least Wednesday for the swelling to go down to get a clear idea of whether their stalwart will be fit for the opening day of the season.
But with Benitez's two other centre-halves Martin Skrtel and Daniel Agger both in a race against time to shake off injuries - and with both clearly far from match fit after missing big chunks of pre-season - it raises the immediate question of resources at Anfield.
It is clear the Merseyside club require a fourth centre-half after the departure of Sami Hyypia in the summer, and yet it is equally clear that there is no money to buy one.
That is a painful situation for Benitez, because he has made a profit in the transfer market this summer, and rightly would expect to reinvest that money generated.
Indeed, when renegotiating his new contract last April, one of the key elements before the Spaniard put pen to paper on a five-year deal was the availability of funds to make the significant signings this summer he felt were required to finally bring the title to Anfield after a wait of 20 years.
At the time, the club's American owners let it be known there was £40million to spend, plus anything Benitez raised in sales. Instead, he has not even been able to spend everything he raised, and the £40m has gone to the banks to reduce debt and secure a refinancing deal.
It is a difficult situation for the manager because he knows he is so close to a title-winning side, perhaps on two or three quality players away.
But his dealings this week will be revealing. It is clear the Anfield boss will try to sign a centre-half, and he revealed at the weekend that he has already been in talks with Phil Brown over Hull's Michael Turner.
Yet he also indicated almost as clearly that he simply doesn't have the funds to meet the £11m asking price, and will instead have to shop in the bargain basement, represented by the £3m rated Portsmouth defender Sylvain Distin.
Benitez tried to make light of the situation after the defeat by Atletico Madrid, but it is clear that the financial crisis at Anfield is a huge problem for him...and the club's prospects.
"We were supposed to have some money but I will not talk about figures. On the record or off the record when you talk about figures I think it is clear. I will not say anything. I don't have the answer," Benitez explained.
"We just have to manage with the players we have, and we will try to be ready just in case we can sign someone, but you never know. It depends on the prices."
Despite his caution, Benitez there was clearly revealing his frustration at the lack of funds available, and he even admitted that he is in talks with the owners over simply getting the money to spend he has raised through selling players this summer.
So far, he has no indication that the money will be made available, hence his talk about making do with the players he already has.
It is a desperate situation for Liverpool, who were in their best position for 20 years as genuine title contenders, and yet face going into the season with a smaller, less well-equipped squad than last season when they finished second.
Liverpool's poor pre-season results have illustrated the problems Benitez faces, and not least here, with Atletico's top class strike duo Kun Aguero and Diego Forlan getting a goal apiece as they exploited the inexperience of teenage centre-half pairing Danny Ayala and Mikel San Jose.
But at least there were some positives. Fernando Torres appeared to pull up in the second half with a hamstring problem, but afterwards Benitez insisted it was not serious, and probably just a minor ankle problem.
He also stated that he was 80 per cent confident that two of Carragher, Agger and Skrtel will be available for the opening day game against Spurs and the peculiar threat Peter Crouch will pose.
Torres looked far from match fit in this game, but he still could have scored three or four, and as he gets into the swing of the season will surely again be a devastating threat for Liverpool.
Lucas too, showed that he can fill the gap left by Xabi Alonso's departure and the two-month injury lay-off for new signing Alberto Aquliani, with a good late goal and an energetic attacking display from midfield.
But perhaps the most important indicator of how Liverpool will fare this season - and perhaps over the next few years - will come in the transfer market this week. If Benitez has no funds to make the signings he needs, then it could be a long, hard season.
