LIVERPOOL, March 10, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over
Bournemouth on Saturday was met with an unusual sense relief around Anfield
for a side that had just clinched a 22nd consecutive home league win and
moved 25 points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Such has been the Reds’ relentless run towards a first league title in 30
years that three defeats in three different competitions in four games was
considered a slump in form.
A 3-0 reverse at Watford deprived Jurgen Klopp’s men the chance to match
Arsenal’s “invincible” unbeaten league season and a FA Cup exit at the hands
of Chelsea means they cannot replicate Manchester United’s treble of 1998/99.
However, the most damaging of the trio of defeats could still prove to be
the 1-0 deficit they must overturn when Atletico Madrid travel to Anfield for
the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday.
“It’s a long season and you see how many games we’ve played. In any sport
you play it’s impossible to be at your highest level all year, year in and
year out,” said James Milner, who produced a stunning goal-line clearance to
secure victory against Bournemouth.
“You try your best and it just doesn’t happen, and that’s when you need to
find a way to win.”
When at their best, Liverpool have shown they are more than capable of
second leg fightbacks at home. Most spectacularly when Barcelona were humbled
4-0 in last season’s semi-final despite holding a 3-0 first leg lead.
However, there are cracks in the English champions-elect’s armoury that
Atletico can expose.
After keeping 10 clean sheets in 11 league games between early December and
mid-February, Liverpool have conceded in each of their last five games.
The loss of goalkeeper Alisson Becker to a hip injury is a massive blow
with his erratic understudy Adrian at fault for the opening goal against
Chelsea last week.
Jordan Henderson’s presence in midfield has also been badly missed after he
limped off with a hamstring injury in the first leg against Atletico and
could be rushed back to face the Spaniards. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane
again carried the goalscoring burden to turn the game around against
Bournemouth, but the form of Roberto Firmino is also a worry for Klopp.
The Brazilian’s all-round game makes him the perfect foil for the Salah and
Mane to come off the wings and get the goals, but Firmino has been out of
sorts in recent weeks and still has not scored at Anfield all season.
– No closed doors disruption –
Liverpool can at least rely on a vociferous home support that makes Anfield
such a fortress on European nights.
Klopp has never lost a European game at home since taking charge of
Liverpool in 2015 and has reached three finals in that time.
“Our people will be ready. Welcome to Anfield! It’s not over yet,” warned
the German after the first leg.
Unlike matches in Italy, France and Spain there has been no order for games
to be played behind closed doors in the United Kingdom to halt the spread of
coronavirus.
Paris Saint-Germain will host Borussia Dortmund in front of an empty
stadium on Wednesday as will Juventus if the second leg of their tie against
Lyon next week even goes ahead.
With PSG, Juve and Real Madrid trailing from their first legs and Barcelona
a shadow of their former selves, the competition could open up again for
Liverpool if they can break Atletico’s resistence.
“It’s down to us to turn around a tough result,” added Milner.
“We know how good they are, we know how well organised they are but
hopefully we can push them all the way and overturn that and have another
special night at Anfield.”