Liverpool dominated the first half and maybe should have gone in at the interval further ahead. Keane should at least have worked the keeper when Gerrard found space on the right and sent a low cross over. However, instead of just connecting with the ball and forcing it in, Keane went for a fancy flick and missed the ball.
Athletico Madrid made changes at the interval bringing Sergio Aguero on for former Red Luis Garcia and they began to get back into the match. However, it was Liverpool who had the first chance of the second half.
Gerrard again played a brilliant through ball, this time to Yossi Benayoun, who brought it under control, turned and scored. Unfortunately the goal was wrongly disallowed for offside.
That was the first of a number of blatantly wrong offside calls. Luckily for the Reds the others were called against Athletico. Firstly Diego Forlan was flagged off despite being two yards onside, although Pepe Reina did come out and block his shot anyway, and then Giourkas Seitaridis had a goal disallowed for offside despite Jamie Carragher being slow to step out.
The equaliser finally came on 83 minutes. Jamie Carragher misjudged a high ball allowing Forlan to nip in ahead of him. Alvaro Arbeloa decided to come across to Forlan allowing him to pass wide to Simao who had plenty of time to pick his spot past Pepe Reina.
Liverpool almost won it at the end when Dirk Kuyt sent a brilliant cross into the box but Ryan Babel headed inches wide.