Diego Simeone was at his majestic, infuriatingly eccentric best during Atletico Madrid's 1-0 win over Liverpool. The game itself was a classic of the Argentine's genre, the Rojiblancos scoring inside four minutes through Saul Niguez from a set piece and then sitting back for the remaining 86.Jurgen Klopp's men dominated possession but in the end failed to register a single shot on target.Not all football romantics will accept parking the bus as a legitimate approach, but what particularly irked the Premier League champions-elect were some of Atleti's other, more unorthodox tactics. Fabinho, James Milner and Joe Gomez all found themselves in the book due to the hosts' playacting. 

Worst of all, referee Szymon Marciniak fell for it all, hook, line and sinker.

Šime Vrsaljko also fell dramatically under the elbow of Sadio Mane and Klopp withdrew him at half-time because he would be sent off unfairly.

Nobody does the dark arts quite like a Simeone side, though they do it to great effect. Indeed, their boss has still never lost a Champions League knockout game against a team that didn't involve Cristiano Ronaldo.

All the while, the Atleti boss was typically demonstrative on the sidelines, much to the irritation of Liverpool fans. 

“People say about me that I'm emotional on the sideline. If I'm on level four, I would say Diego is on level 12 or so," Klopp had warned before the game. 

“It's really like I'm the Kindergarten Cop against him."

BT Sport have even compiled his 'highlights' into a video: 

Simeone screeched at his players throughout, pointed at his watch to call for time late on, and at one point was seen shushing into the stand behind him. 

Some fans on social media believed he was directing the gesture at Liverpool fans, though that seems unlikely given that the away end was sectioned behind the goal. 

More likely is that he was looking towards the press box. 

The media have been vocal critics of his regime this season as Atleti have not entertained the La Liga title race. 

There have been persistent reports that Simeone could have been sacked and a good European run may yet be the way for him to salvage his job. 

Victory over Liverpool proved a timely reminder of just what he is capable of. His football might not be pleasing on the eye, but it has got the job half-done ahead of the trip to Anfield - at least he's good value entertainment himself.