After Jan Oblak's heroics in goal helped Atletico Madrid eliminate reigning champions Liverpool from the UEFA Champions League, the Slovenia international has been described as "the Messi of goalkeepers" by manager Diego Simeone.
Atletico secured a sensational 3-2 (4-2 on aggregate) win over Jurgen Klopp's side on Wednesday, with Marcos Llorente (twice) and Alvaro Morata all scoring in extra-time to complete a remarkable turnaround for the Spanish side after they had fallen two goals behind on the night.
Oblak had kept the LaLiga outfit alive in the tie up until that point after making a string of world-class saves throughout the match, and Simeone was quick to praise his prized shot-stopper's Man of the Match performance after the final whistle.
"We have a goalkeeper who is the best in the world, no doubt," Simeone said, as reported by the Evening Standard.
"I have been saying that for some time. It's like Barcelona, who have (Lionel) Messi. He decides games with his attacking play; Oblak resolves them with his saves."
The former Argentina international also celebrated Atletico's progression in the competition and singled out substitute Llorente for praise alongside Oblak following his match-winning form in front of goal on the night.
"I'm very happy for the team and for the club. We are back among the best eight teams in Europe and against an extraordinary rival," Simeone added.
"... A really important rival with the fans pushing them on. And we came through it like that. It was an amazing game from Oblak, and Llorente revolutionised the team."
