The return of the Champions League has a double meaning for Liverpool. Not only do the Reds find the European scene, but they also find the Wanda Metropolitano, where they started winning again at the end of last season.
Remember the good memories of Madrid…
Last May's "We're going to Madrid" was removed from "We're going back to Madrid" in December on the Liverpool FC Twitter account. Chance of the draw, the Mersey club will be able to remember the fond memory of last summer when the men of Jürgen Klopp ended an eight-year shortage without title, since a victory in the League Cup with a scent less intoxicating. The Reds also and especially gleaned a sixth continental title, 14 years after the miracle of Istanbul against Milan (3-3, tab win in 2005) and asserted their supremacy over Europe in football. "We only have fantastic memories in Madrid, rejoiced Klopp after the draw, I had one of the most beautiful evenings of my life at this stadium." Goals from Mohammed Salah and Divock Origi at both ends of the match sealed the fate of Tottenham (2-0) and made the happiness of some 50,000 Liverpool supporters who had come to wander the streets of the Spanish capital to form a unparalleled red tide. The triumph then confirms the return of the club to the forefront. The Club World Cup follows, the return of the Premier League to Anfield becomes clearer.
Fan park, Madrid ☀️
Yesterday was pic.twitter.com/67jik2WvdI
… And the Champions League
The Reds have been walking on the water for two seasons now and the Champions League is undoubtedly their favorite field. Defeated in the final by Real Madrid in 2018 (3-1), Sadio Mané's partners washed the affront in 2019 against Tottenham (2-0). Liverpool love this competition and wrote one of the most beautiful pages in their history in the Champions League last season in particular with the remount against Barça in the semi-finals (3-0, 0-4). The current campaign may well be no exception to the rule when the Reds have a nice mattress 25 points ahead in the league over Manchester City and can focus on defending their title. "We do not see ourselves as the title holder, but rather as one of the contenders for the final victory" tempered the former Dortmund coach before the match. Although put in difficulty in the group stage by Naples, the only team to have beaten the usual holders of Liverpool this season (2-0, 1st day), Liverpool has come out ahead of its group and will have the luxury of receiving Atlético Madrid in its fortress of Anfield after having found the joys of a European evening in Madrid.
Liverpool is no longer at home
But this time, the Liverpool Reds will not be able to count on a stadium acquired two-thirds behind it. Supporters of Atlético Madrid will be keen to push their team, struggling in recent weeks but which remains one of the most difficult European teams to maneuver. "Playing against Atlético is one of the most difficult challenges in the career of a footballer" recalled the Liverpool boss in a press conference before the match. For this trip, the German can count on all his strength and should call on the same men as from the start of the season. All were also present last June, but they will change their locker room this time, "Maybe we can ask them: could we have this locker room again?" quipped Klopp after watching the draw, when the Reds inherited the local locker room in the final. However, the manager of the Reds wanted to mobilize his players and urge them to ignore the context, so that the emotion does not take over the issue, "We do not go there on pilgrimage." A convinced Christian, he must know how to make the distinction.
Back here again ️ # LFC | # UCLpic.twitter.com / 6YLCxdVrYr
- Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 17, 2020Read also
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