Jurgen Klopp has hit out at Atletico Madrid's dirty tactics and accused the Spanish side of targeting Sadio Mane on a frustrating night for Liverpool.
The Champions League holders will need to summon another famous European comeback at Anfield next month after they were beaten 1-0 away to Atletico in their last-16 first leg on Tuesday.
Spain midfielder Saul Niguez struck the only goal of the game in the fourth minute by bundling into the net from close range following a corner.
Later in the first half, Mane was fortunate not to be sent off late after clashing with Sime Vrsaljko while on a yellow card and he was swiftly substituted by Klopp for Divock Origi.
But Klopp has defended his Senegal star, criticising his European rivals for the way they play-acted and attempted to get Mane sent off.
Speaking to BT Sport, he said: "He [Sadio Mane] was targeted. It was clear. They wanted to make sure he got a yellow card.
|It is only half time but you need to be really strong as a referee in this atmosphere. Already in the first 30 minutes three of their players went to the ground I don't know what for. Nobody to blame.
"I am fine, 1-0 down at half time we have the longest half time break and we will use that. Welcome to Anfield. It is not over yet."
Liverpool, who have won 25 of 26 Premier League games this season and are on course for a record-smashing title win, missed a series of chances to equalise in the second half, with Mohamed Salah and captain Jordan Henderson coming closest to scoring.
Klopp's side play at home to Atletico on March 11 in the return leg at Anfield, where they produced an incredible 4-0 win over Barcelona in last year's semi-final second leg after losing the first match 3-0.
The German added: "It was not exactly what should happen but it happened. It was the fight we expected and the atmosphere we expected but I love so many parts of our game. It is only 1-0 down at half time and the second half we play at our stadium.
"We lacked in the final third. They defended with all they had - their defending in the box was incredible. When you are 1-0 down with a team like this who only want this kind of result - 0-0 would have been good for them."
