Simão strike spares Atlético

A late equaliser from Simão denied Liverpool FC a third successive UEFA Champions League victory and earned Club Atlético de Madrid a point that kept the Spanish side top of Group D.

Perfect starts
Both teams had won their first two fixtures yet the visitors who began brighter and took an early advantage when Robbie Keane raced clear of the home defence to score his second goal of the season. For a long time it seemed as if that solitary strike would be enough for the five-time European champions to take a firm grip on the section, but Javier Aguirre's stuck to their task and finally gained their reward with seven minutes left, Simão finding the bottom corner of the net with a low shot.

Young additions
Aguirre had suggested there would be changes to the side that lost to Real Madrid CF at the weekend and kept his word with Sergio Agüero dropping to the bench and teenagers Ignacio Camacho and Álvaro Domínguez given their competition debuts in midfield and at centre-back respectively. The youngsters made a nervy start as the visitors launched several high balls into the box early on, although it was one of Atlético's more experienced campaigners who was caught out on six minutes, Andrea Dossena leaving Luis García standing on the left but failing to pick out a team-mate when well placed.

Keane opener
Camacho might have done better from Simão's free-kick as Atlético looked to gain a foothold in a game that the visitors were controlling. Instead, Liverpool made their early territorial dominance pay in the 14th minute as Keane doubled his goal tally for the club after Steven Gerrard's through pass had sprung the home defence, the Irishman sliding a low shot past Leo Franco. Thereafter both teams were restricted to efforts from long range, Giourkas Seitaridis firing too high for Atlético and Albert Riera and Xabi Alonso trying their luck for the visitors, before one of Atlético's young starlets made his presence felt as half-time approached. Camacho's pass from the left picked out Diego Forlán, although the striker could only direct his shot wide of the target.

Simão denied
With Atlético seeking a spark Agüero was brought into the fray at half-time yet the Argentinian took time to adjust to the pace of the game and it was Liverpool who threatened first, Yossi Benayoun having a goal ruled out for offside. Seitaridis then did likewise at the other end and Atlético came closer still with their very next attack, Pepe Reina diving full length to touch Simão's shot against his left-hand post. Leo Franco then flicked wide Xabi Alonso's strike, yet the home side continued to threaten and a Seitaridis free-kick from the left could have caused problems had Jamie Carragher not headed away.

Late reward
Just as it looked as if Liverpool would hold on to their slender lead, however, Carragher failed to deal with a long ball forward and Forlán picked up possession before finding Simão, whose well-directed effort left Reina with no chance. There could have been more for the hosts had the Liverpool goalkeeper not tipped away a Miguel de las Cuevas shot, although Ryan Babel's diving header just past the post emphasised either side might have won, or lost, an entertaining contest.

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