Fabinho sets Liverpool tone as embrace shows Jurgen Klopp’s desperate for Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain to succeed

Liverpool have booked their spot in the last 16 of the Champions League with two matches to spare.

The Reds’ 2-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Wednesday ensured they topped Group B, having taken maximum points so far.

Diogo Jota opened the scoring for Jurgen Klopp’s men in the 13th minute before Sadio Mane doubled the lead eight minutes later.

Then any chance of an Atletico comeback was ended when Filipe was sent off for cynically hacking down Mane on 36 minutes.

Those were the main moments of the game.

But here are some of the events you might not have picked up on.

The tone setter

Liverpool needed to set out their stall from the outset against Diego Simeone’s wily outfit.

After a rip-roaring 3-2 win at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium two weeks earlier, they knew their opponents were out for revenge.

Tensions flared in the Spanish captial and the Reds were well aware Atletico would try all of the tricks and dark arts possible to give them an advantage.

An early marker was required - and that’s what Fabinho gave the home side on his return to action from a knee injury.

When Klopp’s troops were caught in possession during one attack in the 10th minute, the Spanish visitors looked to break with purpose.

A raft of blue shirts flooded forward - but the foray was soon quelled.

Liverpool missed Fabinho against Brighton last Saturday and his display on his return to action showed why.

The Brazilian was swiftly over to snuff out the danger. His challenge was robust but fair, showing his intent to thwart the counter attack.

Fabinho’s tackle immediately got a response from the Anfield crowd. They fully appreciated his intervention and cranked up the noise.

Three minutes later, Jota handed the hosts the lead.

Ox embrace

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s been mightily unlucky with injuries during his time at Liverpool.

They have stopped the midfielder from having a sustained run in the team over the past few seasons and the likes of Curtis Jones, Thiago Alcantara and even Harvey Elliott jumped ahead in the pecking order before he dislocated his ankle at Leeds in September.

Klopp’s never lost faith in Oxlade-Chamberlain, though, despite his setbacks.

Even after an underwhelming performance against Brighton, Klopp gave the 35-cap England international another opportunity.

This time, he took it. The former Arsenal man grew into the game and flashed two of his trademark shots from outside the box just wide.

It appeared Oxlade-Chamberlain had picked up yet another problem in the second half, but his jog towards the sideline allayed all fears.

He carried on for a while before being replaced as a precaution.

And the moment Oxlade-Chamberlain shared with Klopp after his substitution underlined how much the Reds manager wants him to succeed.

The pair embraced on the touchline, with Klopp happy with his troop’s work on the evening.

Now the challenge for Oxlade-Chamberlain is to recapture the form he showed in the early stages of his Anfield career.

Felix’s futile pleas

Referee Danny Makkelie was card happy all night. In total, the Dutch official handed out seven yellows and a red to Filipe in the first half that ended Atletico’s chances of getting back into the game.

Any sort of commotion, any raucous and Makkelie was over with his hand in his pocket in a bid to defuse the situation.

It’s why Joao Felix - recently linked with Liverpool -knew he had to try to plead with the fourth official in the second half not to caution him.

The visiting forward hacked down Fabinho in front of the technical area, although Makkelie played advantage as Liverpool broke with menace.

With play continuing, Felix was swiftly on his feet - but didn’t track back.

He instead begged the fourth official not for the referee to give him a booking.

The Portuguese was desperate to avoid a yellow and knew one would be coming when play stopped unless he attempted to protest his innocence.

It proved futile. After the Reds’ move broke down, Makkelie hadn’t forgotten about Felix and brandished him a yellow card.