Watch Europa League Highlights of Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid on 29.04.2010

Anfield welcomed Liverpool back from their single-goal defeat in Madrid for the second leg as Rafa Benitez’s men bid for their only remaining chance at silverware this season.

Diego Forlan’s goal at the Vicente Calderon stadium last week gave Madrid a slender advantage going into the tie and both sides looked to impose themselves early on. Both teams attacked however it was the away side which looked more potent on the break, Juan Valera’s cross just beyond the head of Sergio Aguero and Forlan, whilst Aquilani’s shot was far too tame to beat David de Gea in the Madrid goal.

They eventually got the crucial goal giving them a way back into the tie when Aquilani fired expertly first-time low into the corner from a Yossi Benayoun cross which had evaded Dirk Kuyt.

The Reds had made hard work of it until that point though and Atletico had proved to be more than effective on the break however they could not find a way beyond the Liverpool defence and Reina in goals.

Chances were few and far between though for both sides as Glen Johnson went close after cutting in from the left and Steven Gerrard’s earlier free-kick being cleared away off team-mate Lucas whereas Atletico were forced to sporadic attacks, one of which brought a booking for Jamie Carragher.

Neither side were however able to find a way past the other to gain a vital winner before the end of 90 minutes and the game went to extra time.

Liverpool started the brighter in the first half of extra time and soon sent the Anfield faithful wild when Yossi Benayoun, given space on the right, drilled his shot under David de Gea into the far corner to give them hope of joining Fulham in Hamburg.

But their joy and hope was short-lived as just before the whistle blew for the break, Atletico conjoured up a move which proved their prolifacy in La Liga this term when former Arsenal man Jose Reyes pulled back a sweeping cross over the Liverpool defence tracking back and finding Forlan unmarked to slot home into an almost-empty net, the striker seeing yellow for his exuberant celebration.

With the second half, Liverpool pressed hard for the winner to keep alive their flagging season but despite their efforts were unable to find a way past Atletico. The Anfield crowd thought they had a penalty when Kuyt went down easily in the box, but the referee played on to dash their hopes.

And as time ticked on, caution was thrown to the wind and might have undone The Reds when Reyes attacked late on with Aguero to his left and only one Liverpool defender for company, however Reyes’ cross was too far past Aguero to find a way past and the scored remained the same.

Liverpool’s season ends whilst Atletico Madrid will meet Fulham in Hamburg in May on the away goals rule.

Jon Osterland