“I feel Carlo thinks the tie is over, and I feel it’s as effectively within the second, however in three weeks…”
Liverpool have definitely mounted fairytale comebacks earlier than, however whereas Jurgen Klopp believes his optimism in overturning a three-goal deficit in opposition to Actual Madrid will return, he’ll know vital enhancements shall be wanted from Tuesday’s 5-2 defeat at Anfield.
The loss – Liverpool’s worst at residence in Europe – means they’ve all of it to do to succeed in the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League.
“We’ll go there and play a soccer sport,” Klopp mentioned of the second leg in Madrid in opposition to the holders on Wednesday, 15 March.
“Will probably be an enormous problem. Now we have to ensure we be taught from this sport.”
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson felt errors all through the sport proved pricey in opposition to Carlo Ancelotti’s males.
“We made too many errors across the objectives,” he added. “Whenever you make too many errors, groups like Madrid punish you.”
Deja vu, however an excessive amount of to do?
Liverpool have been in conditions earlier than the place the chances are stacked in opposition to them, but they’ve discovered a approach to bounce again.
They famously overturned a 3-0 half-time deficit to beat AC Milan and win the Champions League in 2005, and 4 years in the past got here again from a 3-0 first-leg loss to beat Lionel Messi’s Barcelona 4-0 to succeed in the Champions League ultimate.
This Liverpool, although, have appeared a unique facet this season. Eighth within the Premier League and out of each home cup competitions, they’ve gained simply three of their 10 video games to date in 2023.
Former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer feels the Reds are “a mile away” from what they’ve been beforehand.
“Final season will need to have been very robust bodily and mentally,” mentioned Shearer, of Liverpool’s unsuccessful battle for a quadruple of trophies within the earlier marketing campaign. “It was relentless and maybe they did not get the funding with signings.
“Put all that collectively and there are excuses for wanting bodily and mentally drained, however they’ve been unrecognisable.
“Each single participant – bar the keeper – has misplaced the shape. There’s an argument to say they’ve all been a mile away from the requirements they’ve been set.”
Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana believes the hangover from final season’s exertions continues to be having an impact.
“Final season Liverpool performed in each single match potential and that produces a lull,” he mentioned on BBC Radio 5 dwell.
“On the again of a troublesome season I feel you might be witnessing too many moments when gamers are flat. They should discover one thing in them to go once more.”
What went mistaken for Liverpool within the first leg?
In the event you hadn’t watched the sport and simply checked the post-match statistics, you’ll be forgiven for pondering that Liverpool have been very unfortunate.
The Reds had extra possession than Actual, extra pictures on aim and the next anticipated objectives ranking (2.01 to 1.66)
However the statistics don’t paint the true image. After a fair first half, Liverpool have been comfortably second greatest after the break, however their defending all through was poor.
“The second aim is slapstick,” Klopp mentioned of Actual’s equaliser at 2-2, the place Alisson hacked a clearance in opposition to Vinicius Junior and the ball rebounded previous him and into the web.
“[For one of the goals] we have now 5 or 6 gamers and no problem. That may’t occur. We have been passive till the ball arrived there.”
Shearer supplied a extra blunt evaluation.
“They have been hopeless on the again,” he added. “I used to be involved after the Newcastle sport as a result of Newcastle created a number of probabilities.
“They have not acquired the safety they used to have. You possibly can’t try this in opposition to world-class gamers.”
Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard mentioned: “It is a actuality verify.
“At any membership, should you concede 5 objectives there’s acquired to be an inquest into why and the way? I am positive Jurgen will try this within the coming days.”
The heavy defeat produced some undesirable statistics for Liverpool that make it troublesome to see how they will get well:
- They’re the primary group in Champions League historical past to take a 2-0 lead however then lose the sport by a three-goal margin.
- They conceded 5 objectives in a European sport at Anfield for the primary time.
- It’s now seven successive successive video games in opposition to Actual Madrid with out successful.
Mission ‘not possible’ – however can Liverpool flip the tie round?
Within the Champions League knockout stage, the surprising usually does occur.
However Actual Madrid are unbeaten at residence to date this season and given Liverpool’s poor current file in opposition to them, Klopp’s facet must produce one thing particular to show issues round.
“They must mud themselves down in a short time,” mentioned Lallana.
“It’s close to on not possible for Liverpool to overturn this deficit.”
Shearer added: “It will take a courageous man to wager in opposition to Actual Madrid.
“They’re a membership with large expertise. They’ve seen all of it and achieved all of it. They know what they should do.”
