Watch Europa League Highlights of Atletico Madrid v Liverpool on 22.04.2010

Liverpool will consider themselves lucky to only trail Atletico Madrid by a single goal after a frustrating night in Spain.

Two quality saves from Pepe Reina denied Madrid a deserved bigger scoreline whilst at the other end the Reds toiled fruitlessly without former Atletico striker Fernando Torres who is out for the season following an operation.

It was former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan scored the only goal of the game with just nine minutes on the clock when Jose Manuel Jurado crossed a delightful ball for the Uruguayan who made minimal contact, but got a second chance when the ball fell kindly at his feet and he poked past Reina into the net.

As Liverpool got themselves slowly back into the game, Dirk Kuyt nearly found the net from range, however they rarely troubled Atletico who harassed Liverpool all night through Simao and ex-Arsenal man Jose Antonio Reyes.

Atletico should have doubled their lead through defender Tomas Ujfalusi after he skipped past two challenges and fired from a tight angle, but could only find the site netting to spare Liverpool blushes.

Reina pulled off a great save to deny Simao and Ujfalusi had another chance to double Atletico’s lead but failed to take his second opportunity, whilst Liverpool looked increasingly desperate to get an away goal, however it was not to come and it is advantage Madrid when the second leg returns to Anfield.

Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Duhamel

Jon Osterland