Klopp: If we beat Atlético twice, we will advance. We have learned a lot from the past

Tuesday’s Champions League brings, among other things, Atlético Madrid and Liverpool, both of whom have already met in the previous edition of this competition. Atlético were happier then, but Jürgen Klopp says his team has learned a lot of lessons.

Liverpool were defending Champions League champions the season before last, and after the experience against Barcelona and the famous turnaround at Anfield, he was hoping for something similar against Atlético. At the Wanda Metropolitano they lost 0:1 to Atleti. “It’s not over yet, you still have to come to Anfield,” Andrew Robertson confidently proclaimed at the time.

But the game didn’t go quite as planned for the Reds. Wijnaldum’s goal took the game into extra time, where they went 2-0 up thanks to Firmino, but then Marcos Llorente came on. He scored two goals to send the Colchoneros into the Champions League quarter-finals. Morata added the clincher in the 121st minute to make it 3: 2.

Both teams have come a long way, Liverpool were knocked out by Real Madrid in Spain last season, Atlético by Chelsea in England. The Rojiblancos also won the league title and boast an attacking force of Suárez – Griezmann – Felix.

“Atlético is different now because they play a different system, but it’s still the same results machine as it was before. It’s unbelievable how Diego Simeone is still keeping them on their toes. There is nothing to criticise about that,” Jürgen Klopp acknowledged his opponent in his press conference.

Liverpool are in a comfortable position after beating both Porto and AC Milan, with six points and a score of 8::3 they are top of the table, Atlético are second with four points.

“If we win both games against Atlético, it is likely that we will be promoted. But last time we lost both games, so we’ll see. I’m not so positive to think we have it in the bag. We’ve learned a lot of lessons. The rematch was the toughest game in the toughest conditions,” Klopp recalled of the game, which was the last one played in front of the fans before the coronavirus pandemic broke out.

Source: UEFA