Jurgen Klopp says Real Madrid don’t have to play their best to advance
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says his side must play “two super games” to make it through the round-of-16 in the Champions League against holders Real Madrid, who he feels “don’t have to play their best” to advance.
The Reds have recovered from strings of defeats a 3nil bashing at Wolves in early February by claiming important wins over Everton and top-four rivals Newcastle to get their season back on track ahead of Tuesday’s huge first leg tie at Anfield.
Klopp thinks his side’s form might have turned at just the right moment to take on 14-time Champions League winners Real Madrid.
“With the recent history and [both clubs] quite successful in the competition, difficult to play against, grinding results out, it will be a top football game,” said Klopp.
“I’m really happy we can play now, four weeks ago it would have been different, but life is all about timing. Maybe we’ve found our feet right in time for this game even though I would have expected us to be ourselves if we hadn’t won the last two games because it’s a different competition and you have to use this opportunity.
Klopp continued “We have these two results and hopefully we can build on that but we need to play a super game, we need to play two super games, to be honest, to get through. I have no problem with that because if you don’t play your best you don’t have a chance as Real Madrid don’t have to play their best and still have a chance! That’s the difference. That’s pretty special. I can’t wait.”
Meanwhile in tonight’s other fixture Napoli will play Europa League holders Eintracht Frankfurt at the Deutsche Bank Park with Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen making it to Germany after injury scare at the weekend.
Writing by Tersoo Nicholas