Liverpool boss Jurgen Kopp says his side have to be “their best selves” to overturn a deficit in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid on Wednesday.
Real won 3-1 in Spain last week, meaning Liverpool need to win by at least two goals at Anfield to advance.
“When you’re 3-1 down, it looks like we’re already out so we have nothing to lose and will try,” said Klopp.
“To beat Real Madrid you have to defend at your highest level and also create.”
Liverpool have reached two Champions League finals under Klopp, losing to Real in 2017-18 before beating Tottenham in 2018-19.
But the Reds, sixth in the Premier League and unable to retain their domestic title, have it all to do after two Vinicius goals and another from Marco Asensio helped Real to a first-leg success.
“They were better than us and we weren’t as good as we should or could have been,” added Klopp.
“Their first goal was a genius long ball between two defenders but the other two goals we just didn’t defend well enough.
“We have to bring ourselves in a mood and start believing again. If we can see it’s possible then we have a chance but it’s still incredibly difficult.”
Two seasons ago in the semi-finals Liverpool lost 3-0 in the first leg away at Barcelona before winning 4-0 at Anfield. In 2016 in a Europa League quarter-final, the Reds trailed 4-2 on aggregate with 24 minutes to go against Borussia Dortmund but recovered to progress.
“You don’t get a comeback because you had one in the past,” added the German.
“We cannot just take comebacks for granted, especially not without a crowd in the stadium. We have to create our own atmosphere for this game.”
Team news
Liverpool expect to be without captain Jordan Henderson (abductor injury) and striker Divock Origi (muscle injury), while defenders Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are long-term absentees.
Defender Lucas Vazquez suffered a knee injury in Real’s 2-1 win over Barcelona at the weekend and has not travelled with the squad. Ex-Chelsea forward Eden Hazard is out with a groin injury, defender Dani Carvajal is yet to return to full training and central defender Raphael Varane is self isolating after a positive Covid-19 test.
Real captain Sergio Ramos was not included in the squad as he had not recovered from a calf injury that kept him out of the first leg. On Tuesday, the club also announced Ramos had also tested positive for Covid-19.
Match facts
Head-to-head
- After winning their first three meetings with Real Madrid in European competition, Liverpool have lost each of their last four against them.
- This will be Real Madrid’s third visit to Anfield to face Liverpool in European competition – they lost 0-4 in March 2009 and won 3-0 in October 2014 (both in the Champions League).
Liverpool
- In 13 previous knockout ties in European competition where they have lost the first leg by two or more goals, Liverpool have progressed twice. The most recent example was overturning a 0-3 first leg deficit against Barcelona en route to winning the 2018-19 Champions League.
- Mohamed Salah has scored in each of his last four Champions League appearances – the only Liverpool player to score in five consecutive European Cup/Champions League games is Steven Gerrard, who did so in 2007-08.
- Five of Liverpool’s 11 home defeats in the Champions League have come against Spanish opposition, while Real Madrid could become the second side to win away against the Reds twice in the competition, after Barcelona.
Real Madrid
- In the Champions League, Real Madrid have won 15 of their 16 previous knockout ties when winning the first leg by two or more goals, with the exception being the 2003-04 quarter-final against Monaco (4-2 first leg, 1-3 second leg).
- Luka Modric has provided an assist in each of his last three Champions League appearances.
- Seven of Marco Asensio’s eight Champions League goals for Real Madrid have come in the knockout stages. Of all players to have scored more than five goals in the competition, no-one has scored a higher share in these rounds (88%).
- Real Madrid have scored in each of their last 23 Champions League knockout stage matches since a goalless draw with Manchester City in the 2015-16 semi-final (50 goals).
- Vinicius Junior scored twice for Real Madrid in the first leg against Liverpool, as many goals as he had netted in his first 17 Champions League appearances.
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