Liverpool were eliminated from the Champions League amid their 3-2 defeat (4-2 aggregate) to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night – and many supporters have reacted to the performance of Thomas Partey.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: James Milner of Liverpool and Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Partey, 26, alongside his Atletico teammates were the first team to deny Jurgen Klopp passage to a European final since the German manager took charge of Liverpool in October 2015.
Saul Niguez’s solo strike in the first leg enabled the Spanish giants to arrive at the home of the current European Cup holders in the ascendancy but no one could have predicted the chaos that had unfolded during a raucous 120 minutes at Anfield.
Georginio Wijnadlum’s header in the first-half brought the tie firmly back in the balance before Roberto Firmino ended his Anfield goal-drought to send the home supporters into raptures.
However, there was a twist in the tale as Marcos Llorente’s extra-time brace left Liverpool requiring another European miracle at Anfield before Alvaro Morata killed off the tie.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Sadio Mane of Liverpool attempts a overhead kick as he is challenged by Thomas Partey of Atletico Madrid during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg match between Liverpool FC and Atletico Madrid at Anfield on March 11, 2020 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Despite being under the cosh for the best part of 94 minutes, Simeone and Atletico somehow managed to withstand the Liverpool massacre. Jan Oblak and Partey were unquestionably the standout players for the visitors who have secured their passage into the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since 2017.
Partey was constantly sweeping up danger for his team whilst simultaneously operating as Atletico’s most creative attacking outlet with a number of teasing passes.
According to Spanish outlet Cadena Ser, Liverpool reportedly are interested in buying Partey with the player allegedly having a release clause of €50m.
Following the Ghanian’s Anfield showing, some supporters have taken to Twitter calling for Liverpool to consider luring Partey to the home of the Premier League champions-elect following the midfielders emphatic performance.
Here are a selection of tweets calling for the Los Rojiblancos powerhouse’s signature…
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Thomas Partey to @LFC— Paapa (@juliusgenius451) March 12, 2020
Thoughts: An extremely hard trophy to defend. Outstanding team performance throughout and just not our night. Top quality Oblak won that tie that could have easily been done and dusted in 90. Thomas Partey is a terrific player. We are about to lift the Premier League 😍❤️ #LFC
— Blair Howitt (@b_howitt) March 11, 2020
Thomas Partey was really good today! Weren't we linked with him earlier…would be a good squad signing for us now that lallana is leaving👍 #LFC
— Arvind (@Redknight555) March 11, 2020
Thomas Partey ensured @atletienglish was not breached from the middle, despite @LFC attempts to lure him with Firmino. #LIVATL #ChampionsLeague
— Prosper vuga (@vugapella) March 11, 2020
His confidence on da ball is on another level 💥
— IgweTupac👑 (@Eze_one) March 12, 2020
Arguably the best player over the two legs of this stage of the competition
— Lion Nehemiah (@attigs) March 12, 2020