Jurgen Klopp tells Liverpool stars to watch out for the dark art of Atletico Madrid
Jurgen Klopp tells Liverpool stars to watch out for the dark arts of Atletico Madrid as they try to reverse the Champions League draw after a bad mood in the Spanish capital
- Jurgen Klopp believes that Atletico will try to disrupt the competition as much as possible
- Sadio Mane was replaced in the first leg during the break to prevent him from being sent away
- Atletico Madrid enters the second stage with an advantage of one goal from the first stage
Jurgan Klopp met with the Liverpool players to warn them that they would not fall into the trap that Atletico Madrid will disturb them.
Liverpool’s manager pulled Sadio Mane back during the break in the first leg of the last 16 draw, fearing that the Senegalese attacker would react to a tough treatment and receive a red card.
Atletico’s players remained surrounding referee Szymon Marciniak that evening and asked him to take action against Mane, and Klopp expects that the same pressure will be exerted as the Spaniards, who hold a 1-0 lead, try to eliminate the ruling champions.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has told his players to watch out for the tricks of Atletico Madrid
Sadio Mane was withdrawn during the break because he was warned in the first half
Klopp protests with referee Szymon Marciniak during the first leg in Madrid
Klopp acknowledges that this is an assignment that is full of potential problems, but he has called on his players to keep their heads and to bring Atletico to the places “they don’t want to be” while Liverpool wants to make up the gap.
“We’ve already talked about that, but we’ll probably call it again,” Klopp said.
When asked if it was to make sure his best players stay for 90 minutes, Klopp replies: ‘Yes, that helps 100 percent. In a similar situation in the second game would probably not do the same. But in the first game it is not over yet at that moment. We are 1-0 lower, yes, but with 10 players you have a much lower chance of fighting back.
‘You always need a referee who is aware of these situations, we cannot do it alone. We have no influence on that. We have to deal with it. Sadio did nothing wrong, absolutely nothing, and I still thought it would be like this in the following situation.
“But if it had always been so easy for you to get the best player from the opponent out, then there is something wrong with the game. If the player does nothing wrong, but it is still possible … wow! Everyone runs against their elbow or whatever that may happen. We expect a real “experienced” performance from Atletico, let me say that. Experience in all different departments, but we have to deal with that. “
Andy Robertson experienced the Atletico game first hand on 18 February. He returns to the starting line-up after missing Saturday’s 2-1 win over Bournemouth – and may be accompanied by captain Jordan Henderson – and says calm is the key to success.
Manager Diego Simeone, pictured during the first leg, is seen as the master of the dark arts
Atletico Madrid players celebrate the final whistle after the 1-0 victory on their part
“We have experience of encountering them now. We had that one game and to be honest, I felt that we dealt with it fairly well. Of course it is sometimes frustrating, but it will not change. We have no control over that. It is up to the referee to deal with it if it gets too much.
“We have to focus on our game and we cannot be annoyed by things that we cannot control. We have to stay clear and calm in our heads and if we do that, this gives us the best possible chance to perform at the highest level. There we have experienced that and hopefully we know how to deal with it. Hopefully we can show that on Wednesday night and stay calm and create the opportunities we have to create. ”
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