Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has acknowledged that Liverpool has a tough Champions League draw against La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, but he also pointed out that his opposite number Diego Simeone would be disappointed to face the holders of the prestigious competition.
Liverpool topped their group ahead of Napoli and their bid for a second consecutive European crown takes them back to the Wanda Metropolitano which was incidentally the scene of last season’s final against Tottenham Hotspur, but this time the Merseyside team will make the trip to face dangerous Spanish outfit giants Atletico Madrid.
Klopp suggested that he anticipated a return to the Spanish capital and recognized a testing fixture was tempered by the strength of a last-16 draw containing only clubs only from Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues.
And while speaking to the clubs official website, Klopp spoke out that he was expecting a return to Spain, “It’s an interesting draw, Before the draw, I actually thought it would be Madrid – either one of the two clubs – and that’s the way it is. Madrid is the place where we only have fantastic memories, all of us, so that’s great, but this time we play Atletico there and it’s their home ground.”
Reflecting on the draw as a whole, Klopp further explained that the trip to Madrid will not be an easy one as Simeone does set up his team really well and the Argentine can nullify Liverpool’s attacking threat, “It’s a tough one, but if you go through all of the draws, there are pretty much four or five potential finals already in the last 16. So, really, really good; a good draw, a difficult game like it should be, but I don’t think Mr. Simeone is running through his living room and is happy that he got Liverpool. It will be a tough game. Two teams who are used to playing intense football. Different styles and slightly different organization, of course, but both are ready for the intensity and that makes it pretty tough for both.”
