Just before the match, Jurgen Klopp and his side were savouring fond memories of having lifted the trophy at Atletico last season. However this time around it was a different kind of déjà vu as the good vibes quickly turned into a rather sobering experience with Saul Niguez’s early tap-in goal enough to secure the 1-0 win for Athletico Madrid.
Liverpool fans would be a bit ruffled regarding this Champions League stat following this first leg turnout at Atletico Madrid as the Reds uncharacteristically actually failed to register a single shot on target in the entire match due to Atletico’s brilliant defensive maneuvres. Never before had the visitors ever done so in all competitions this season. Their only one clear-cut chance came when Mohamed Salah headed the ball just wide of Jan Oblak’s goal.
Liverpool now needs to overturn their 1-0 deficit for their Champions League last-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid due at Anfield on March 11. However, the tie is far from over as they have been know to turn the tide from far worse positions in their history, having most recently clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit to beat Barcelona in last season’s semi-finals. Such is their unwavering tenacity and gut-wrenching resolve.
Jurgen Klopp has immediately fired a warning to Atletico to prepare for a massive Anfield onslaught on March 11. He told BT Sport:
“It was the fight we expected, it was the atmosphere we expected but I loved so many parts of our game. It’s half time [of the tie] and we are 1-0 down.”
“We don’t only play a second half, we play it in our stadium which is obviously completely different to this stadium here.”
“They defended with all they had, their defending in the box was incredible. They only wanted this kind of result, 0-0 would have been OK for them.”
“I don’t think I have to do it [stir up the crowd at Anfield] that much I think. I hope I can be a little bit more focused on the game.”
“Our people will be ready, I know that. Welcome to Anfield, it’s not over yet.”
Interestingly, Chelsea legends Ruud Gullit and Marcel Desailly believe Klopp is venting his frustrations like a sore loser. Gullit told BeIN Sports after listening to the manager:
“He was annoyed. He thinks he has a better team and he lost against a team that did something that is not his football, so he wants revenge.”
“That’s why he [he referenced stirring up the crowd].
“He can’t stand it.”
Both Gullit and Desailly are mindful that while Liverpool has the propensity to score a lot of goals at Anfield, they are issuing an early waning to the Reds that things would not be as simple as that and they would be facing another unexpected game like the one they have just conceded victory in.
“You cannot always count on your stadium to make the difference,” Desailly said. “It’s the Champions League, they’ve made one mistake and [Atletico] scored.”