Jurgen Klopp is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge ahead of his Liverpool side as they look to overcome a 5-2 deficit in the Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
After 2-0 in the first leg at Anfield, the Reds were thrashed by Madrid as Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema scored two goals each, with Eder Militao also scoring a goal.
This leaves Liverpool needing another Champions League miracle to reach the quarter-finals of the competition and keep their hopes of winning the trophy this season alive.
Liverpool have a relatively recent history of overcoming a three-goal deficit in the first leg. They are one of four teams that have advanced after a Champions League draw by losing the first leg by three goals or more, having done so in 2019 when they beat Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield in the semi-finals after 3-0 defeat at Anfield. Camp Nou.
To repeat the feat against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu is an even more difficult task.
Madrid have progressed from 26 of their previous 27 European Cup or Champions League fixtures when they won the first leg away, with the exception of a defeat against Ajax at this stage in 2018/19 (2-1 away, 1:4 away). house).
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Klopp was keen not to inspire hope in Liverpool, who will be left without Jordan Henderson due to illness by doing the seemingly impossible.
“If there is only one percent chance, I would like to try, we are here to play an extremely strong opponent and try to win the game,” Klopp said.
“As difficult as it is, it is probably possible. Not likely, but possible. We have too much respect for the competition, we have too much respect for the opponent not to wait for this game.”
Touchdown in Spain pic.twitter.com/R0A9wFyFPK
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 14, 2023
Liverpool have endured a volatile season, losing eight games in the Premier League, six more than in all of last season.
In addition to five goals to Madrid, Liverpool also lost 4–1 to Napoli in the group stage.
But since Liverpool also beat Manchester United 7-0 nine days ago, Klopp has been told this strange season could be the perfect one for such a turn against Real Madrid.
“If we can surprise ourselves in a negative way, we should be able to surprise ourselves in a positive way,” he replied.
“We’re not here and we’re not saying to Madrid ‘be careful, we’re coming’. We’re here to try and win the game. We must play very well. If we play a normal game or a good game, it won’t be enough.
“I think that in this room, 100 percent of those present believe that we have no chance. We are complete outsiders. This is the situation, this is football, and we are trying to make it happen.”
