Reds legend Mark Lawrence: 'Liverpool's first mistake cost them Atletico tie.'

The first mistake Liverpool made - after 97 minutes - was what cost them the tie against Digeo Simeone's army, says Mark Lawrence.

Holders Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League with a dramatic extra-time defeat to LaLiga side Atletico Madrid [Getty]

Liverpool legend Mark Lawrence believes his former side's first mistake cost them in their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds looked like they had overturned Atleti's 1-0 advantage from the first leg when Georginio Wijnaldum headed home late in the first half and Roberto Firmino registered his first goal at Anfield this season in extra-time.

But, a double from substitute Marcos Llorente, and a cool finish from Alvaro Morata in the dying seconds sent Diego Simeone's determined army through to the last eight of Europe's elite competition.

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However, former Reds defender says Liverpool put in one of the best displays he has seen in a while, but reckons 'instead of pushing forward' when Firmino hit the target, 'they could have sat in'.

"I was at Anfield and that was probably the best that Jurgen Klopp's side have played in the past couple of months," Lawrence told BBC Sport.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrence. [Daily Mirror]

"With the way they took the game to Atletico, I did not see a team who have run out of anything - energy, ideas or belief.

"The first mistake they made - after 97 minutes - was what cost them the tie.

"They were in control but it was as if they felt like they needed to score another goal to finish Atletico off.

"I can understand why, because Liverpool are very good attacking team and they had played well, and created a lot of chances.

"But instead of pushing forward, they could have sat in because suddenly Atletico were in a situation where they had to come at them a little bit, and that is not something they are terribly good at."

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