Real Madrid vs LFC: Jürgen Klopp will try to make the almost impossible possible with Liverpool on Wednesday evening. The manager has hope despite trailing 5-2 against Real Madrid in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Klopp: “Everyone in this room thinks we have no chance”
Klopp reacted coolly when asked in the press room in Madrid the day before the game what Liverpool will have to do differently at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu than at Anfield. “We have to play as we did until 2-0, not as we did afterwards,” said the German, who was realistic about his team’s chances after the thump three weeks ago. “We probably won’t go one round further. Everyone in this room thinks we don’t stand a chance. Except me, but that’s fine. We are a real outsider, that’s fine, it’s still football.’
Three weeks ago, Klopp’s team fell apart in the second half. The fact that Real went on to a 2-5 victory in Liverpool was not only due to the weak play of the home team. The manager of The Reds expressed his admiration for the team of his colleague Carlo Ancelotti on Tuesday evening: “Real Madrid just keeps going. You have Luka Modric, Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos, but also youngsters like Aurélien Tchouaméni. What a team, wow.”
Asked what he thought was the greatest quality time from The Royal, Klopp opened up about the Champions League winner’s imperturbability. “They never seem to lose confidence or conviction, which is an incredible quality for a team. Nothing can upset them in a negative sense. That is really admirable. They have a different style of play than we do, but I have a lot of respect for them. They are good in all respects. On the ball, in putting pressure, with counters, in defending close to the own goal…,” said the German manager.
Team news
Klopp cannot rely on Stefan Bajcetic in the return. The 18-year-old midfielder is injured. In the front there is a good chance that Cody Gakpo will start. The 23-year-old attacker had a starting place in the first game with Real, as in eight of the nine Premier League games since his arrival.
