A point away against the biggest rival in the group stages of the Champions League isn’t exactly a bad result but, having led for so long, it is inevitable that this result is tinged with disappointment. In reality, this was a very difficult game to call. Liverpool didn’t play brilliantly but could have easily scored a couple more.

Atletico weren’t much better yet they certainly upped the tempo in the first ten minutes of the second half and, had their goal not been wrongly disallowed then it would have been a completely different story.

The really worrying aspect of this game – well, apart from the dismal form of the two full-backs – was how tired most players looked in the second half. With Chelsea coming up on Sunday, it hardly bides well.

Good Game
Faultless for the goal, Pepe Reina was immense. Not that he was called into action too often but he was always quick off his line to cut off attacks and his handling of crosses impeccable. Andy Gray faulted Jamie Carragher for the equalizer and whilst he was perhaps caught out by the bounce of the ball it was hardly a huge error.

Defensively, Liverpool may have been more solid with Martin Skrtel but Daniel Agger more than makes up for this as far as technique is concerned. The long ball he sent towards Kuyt towards the end of the game was quite simply breath-taking.

Indeed, it was the kind of ball you would expect Xabi Alonso to play and the midfielder played plenty of them. Everything good that Liverpool created went through him and his passing invariably picked a team-mate. My Man of the Match.

It is difficult to judge both Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano both of whom played discretely but well below their normal level. Both are still recovering from the exertion of playing for their respective national sides.

Robbie Keane took his goal very well and, although he probably should have scored another, his running and speed certainly unsettled the Atletico defense.

Bad Game
Much was made last weekend for the poor games that Alvaro Arbeloa and Andrea Dossena had, too much in my opinion. However, neither one of them seems to have taken too much consideration of the criticism as they were both poor once again against Atletico. Not a huge confidence boost with Chelsea coming up.

Albert Riera started very well but as soon as he was booked for diving, he seemed to switch off. From that point on, he did very little of note and the game passed him by. To his credit, Yossi Benayoun tried hard yet far too often gave away possession easily or chose the wrong option.

Substitutes
So often an impact substitute, Ryan Babel really should have scored with that late header. Apart from that opportunity and a run as soon as he got on the pitch, nothing was seen of him.

Confidence is such a vital ingredient in football and having scored four in three games, Dirk Kuyt has plenty at the moment. After coming on, he hassled the defenders in his typical fashion with the added bonus of always managing to pick out a Liverpool player after winning the ball.

The introduction of Lucas Leiva for Alonso was hugely surprising but the young Brazilian actually did pretty well. His passing was good but he also moved forward well. A promising cameo for a player who doesn’t seem to have many admirers among the Liverpool fans.