Liverpool FC’s current season has been largely forgotten. And should the Reds not deliver in the quarter-final second leg of the Champions League on Wednesday against Real Madrid (9 p.m.) and catch up 3-1 from the first leg, they will go down in the annals of the top club as one of the more unsuccessful in recent history. The fact is: For Liverpool, the European Cup offers the very last title chance – on the other hand, when it comes to catching up, you already have practice. In fact, it is not the first time that coach Jürgen Klopp’s club has to catch up with a Spanish club in the knockout phase of the Champions League. In 2019, the later title holder turned the semi-final against Barcelona spectacularly after 3-0 with a 4-0. In the round of 16 2020 they failed to Atletico Madrid (0-1 and 2-3 after extra time).
Now the evocation of the past has hardly brought anything. But thanks to the goal from Mohamed Salah in the first leg a week ago, there is some hope. Coach Jürgen Klopp also refers to them when he explains: “We have to get ourselves in the mood to rediscover our faith (in us, note).” And: “We have nothing to lose.” The announcement doesn’t seem authentic, on the other hand, at least the team seems to be finally back in shape. After the “black” February with four league defeats en suite, they have recently won four in the last six games. This momentum must now be converted into goals – albeit again in front of empty ranks. And Liverpool need a lot of goals to reach the semifinals against the winners from FC Porto – Chelsea (first leg 0-2) – but not only that. There is one thing that needs to be improved, Klopp emphasized: “With the quality that Madrid has, we have to defend at our highest level. And we didn’t do that in the first leg. “
Champions League quarter-finals,
2nd leg, Wednesday:
Liverpool – Real21 o’clock / Dazn
Dortmund – ManCity21 o’clock / Sky
Tuesday games after editorial deadline.
–
–
–
In fact, the quality of Real that Klopp mentioned should not be underestimated: 13 games unbeaten, six wins in a row, including the 2-1 against FC Barcelona on Saturday, which increased the title chances. And goalgetter Karim Benzema hits like on an assembly line. In his last nine competitive games, he netted ten times, only in the Liverpool first leg the Frenchman went empty-handed. Benzema is facing another milestone on Anfield: With his 71st goal in the premier class, he would overtake club legend Raul, who is fourth on the all-time top scorer list. Only Robert Lewandowski (73), Lionel Messi (120) and Cristiano Ronaldo (134) met more often.
Hope also with Dortmund
Of course, Borussia Dortmund also needs hits in the parallel game against Manchester City. If the Germans manage to make up the 1: 2 from the first leg, this would mean the first Champions League semi-finals in eight years. The fact that the winning goal by Englishman Phil Foden (90th) came very late gives BVB confidence. A success would give the Borussians, who are staggering in the Bundesliga, a little consolation for the probably missed renewed Champions League qualification – not only in terms of sport, but also financially. “We have a chance of the Champions League semi-finals – and we’ll see that in the second leg,” said defender Mats Hummels. A season to forget should also be unforgettable here. (rail / what)
–
