Klopp says “lesson learned” against Real Madrid

Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool his speech changed Anfield after going down 2-5 in the first leg of the round of 16 Champions and before this Wednesday’s return to Santiago Bernabeu promised to fight Real Madrid inHe who showed the utmost respect, remembering the two finals losers from whom he learned.

“Real Madrid smell blood but we have confidence. They’re huge, they’ve won a lot over the years and nothing negative is knocking them down, awesome. The way they play with us is different, our attack is different,” he said in the press room of the Bernabeu.

“They have all my respect, it’s a fantastic team. The generation of players is incredible. Modric You can continue playing until you are 45 years old, Cross he still has a lot left, Benzema They are two or three years old, and they have good young ones. It was a good team against which we learned lessons. We lost in the finals and that makes you stronger. He real Madrid It gave me some tough moments that I learned from,” he added.

Klopp changed the Anfield speech to continue to fight for the slimmest chance his team has of beating Real Madrid and winning the tie. “Three weeks ago I said the real Madrid With this result I will go to the quarterfinals, but now I think there is a game to play and even if there is a one percent chance, I want to try. We are facing a very strong opponent that we want to win, it is difficult but possible. We respect the competition and Real Madrid too much to not rely on the game. We look forward to playing,” he said.

He Liverpool stars of the irregular season that their coach admits that they are capable of producing bad games but there are also some that should be remembered, like the seven he endorsed against the Manchester Utd which serves as an inspiration for the Bernabéu.

“If we can surprise negatively, we can do it positively. We are not here to say, ‘Real Madrid beware’, but we came to win the game and for that we have to play well. Playing normally won’t be enough. not even win the match,” he said.

“The only problem from a tactical point of view at Anfield was the counter-attacks in the second half. We defended well although you can’t stop. Vinicius and cover up Karim all the time. We scored two goals but some fantastic individual action from Vinicius and the gift of the second changed everything. We have to be very active, defend at a very high level, have an outstanding presence in midfield and take risks in attack but make sure we avoid counter-attacks.”

Finally, after hearing Carlo Ancelotti say that the pressure of managing the match is on Real Madridklopp He understood the message but said he would prefer to be in the Italian coach’s situation. “We have nothing to lose. It’s a better situation than when you have everything to lose. I understand Ancelotti but I prefer his situation and have the advantage of defending three goals. After three weeks we have to play and we is delighted. It’s an opportunity that almost doesn’t exist but it’s football”.