Atletico's Oblak chases another Anfield miracle five years on

Remarkably, only eight players from both sides remain at their respective clubs from that unforgettable night. Atletico begin their 2025/26 European campaign against a formidable Liverpool side, in what promises to be a stern test.

The Rojiblancos are facing a challenging start to the season, compounded by several key absences, including Julian Alvarez, Baena, Cardoso, Almada and Gimenez, making the prospect of victory an uphill task.

That situation echoes the drama of five and a half years ago. On 11 March 2020, after a narrow 1-0 first-leg win, Diego Simeone's side travelled to Anfield to secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Logic suggested a Liverpool rout was inevitable, yet Atletico defied the odds in a match that has since entered club folklore.

Luis Llorente stole the headlines with two extra-time goals after Liverpool had led 2-0, and Morata sealed the decisive 3-2 win.

Yet the true hero was Jan Oblak, whose 11 saves against a Salah-Firmino-Mane trio cemented what many consider the finest performance of his career. That night, Oblak's brilliance kept Atletico's dreams alive and showcased his enduring class between the posts.

Now, five years later, Oblak will reach the milestone of 500 appearances for the club—a testament to his longevity and consistency. Since taking over the Rojiblanca goal, surpassing Moya, he has remained an unchallenged presence, withstanding the test of time season after season.

Survivors from a historic night

Oblak is one of only four Atletico starters from that match still at the club, alongside captain Koke. The rest of the defence (Trippier, Savic, Felipe, Lodi) and midfield (Saul, Thomas, Correa) have all moved on, as have forwards Diego Costa and Joao Felix.

From the bench, only Llorente and Gimenez (who will miss Wednesday through injury) remain, alongside Simeone himself.

Liverpool's exodus has been equally dramatic. Only Virgil van Dijk, Robertson, Salah and Joe Gomez remain from that night's starting XI. Their midfield of Henderson, Wijnaldum and Oxlade-Chamberlain has departed, while injury forced Adrian San Miguel to start in goal in place of Alisson.

Five years on, these eight survivors—plus Simeone—will face each other again, carrying memories of a match that defied expectation.

Replicating that miracle would be improbable, but the echoes of Anfield 2020 remain vivid, and Atletico will hope to chase another dream in similarly daunting circumstances.