Sun, Jan 28, 2024
Sun, Jan 28, 2024
ITDC INDIA EPRESS/ ITDC NEWS : For the first time in their history, Liverpool conceded five in a European home game. The scousers will face a tough time in their return game against Real Madrid, who are now unbeaten in seven games between them.
Comebacks aren’t an alien thing in the Champions League, and Real Madrid have lost European home games by three-goal margins twice before - 4-1 against Ajax and 3-0 against CSKA Moskva, both in 2018/19. Something that Liverpool can take heart from.
The first leg saw the Reds lead the game within a mere four minutes as Darwin Nunez cheekily flicked it past Thibaut Courtois. They added to their lead when Mo Salah took advantage of a mistake by Courtois and smashed it into the net. But La Casa Blanca roared back in a menacing fashion, with the likes of Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scoring two each and Eder Militao heading one in past Alisson Becker.
Madrid's ability to recover from two goals down to win by three has never happened in the Champions League before, but Carlo Ancelotti won't want a repeat at the Bernabéu. After the rollercoaster first leg, the Italian admitted he was still cautious of Liverpool's ability to pressure Madrid's lead. 'Steady as you go and 100 per cent focus' will be his pre-match orders.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was exhilarated after his side’s 7-0 victory over Manchester United. Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez scored twice and Roberto Firmino’s late strike signed off the rampant win.
It is evident that Liverpool are in fabulous form, and though they are the underdogs here, it just makes them more vicious and lethal. The Reds are no strangers to comebacks. The fans remain optimistic they can turn the tide in their favour and proceed to the quarterfinals of Europe’s elite competition.
They, however, failed to impress against AFC Bournemouth, who find themselves in the bottom five of the Premier League table. A bottom feeder stunning the giants of Anfield 1-0 is a definite blow to their morale and it may have an effect on their confidence against Madrid.
But Klopp is taking his steps one at a time. It shows that they are grounded and not intimidated by the Spanish giants.
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