The Reds would entertain the luxury of the tactful Atletico Madrid side as quality beckons on the field on play. Both sides knows what is at stake and would aim to plunder each other in the course of the match.
Ahead of the game a lot of expectations are already brewing in the mind of viewers including both the pundits and bookmakers as fireworks is certain to be seen on the pitch.
With Jurgen Klopp’s side hoping to build on the win at the weekend against Bournemouth, pressure is on the Reds as Atletico comes into the match bearing their first leg advantage. As the match draws closer by the minutes, Liverpoolcore.com evaluations three interesting questions ahead of the Liverpool/Atletico Madrid encounter as they square up at Anfield.
WOULD MANE AND SALAH SCORE (PERFORM)?
The Reds were beaten hands down in the first leg no thanks to their effectiveness in front of goal. This was evident as they could not even register a shot on goal for the entire contest. It seems that Mane and Salah was hand tied in the match as they could not rise up to the match occasion to deliver for the Reds.
This is what they have done repeatedly on the Liverpool shirt and there is no reason not to expect otherwise from them in this fixture. The hopes and optimism may have risen as both performed at the weekend. This saw them a win 2-1 over Eddie Howe’s men as they are expected to lift Liverpool with goals in European stage when Atletico Madrid comes to town facing them at Anfield.
CAN LIVERPOOL MANAGE THEIR DEFENCE?
The Reds are 1-0 down but a lot has got to play out in this fixture. They are just a goal down but their chance of progression is dependent on two factors; they must score and should make sure they don’t concede a goal.
If they let in a goal in this tie it will dampen their chance an motivation for the remainder of the game.
Atletico kept a clean sheet at home and Liverpool must do the same and even more as they have the Anfield frenetic atmosphere to their advantage in the game.
This is usually notable in European night with the likes of Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard and defender John Arne Riise the major shinning light as at then as Liverpool aim to advance to the next state of this season’s competitions as they’ve struggled defensively in recent games with the 2-1 win last weekend.
WHO WILL WIN THE TACTICAL BATTLE?
This is the bedrock of the rhetoric’s ahead of this fixture as Liverpool take on Atletico Madrid. The match promises to need an underground work as Diego Simeone comes to town to face hightlying Jurgen Klopp irrespective of the recent slump the Reds have had.
The Anfield sides rely on quick transition play while Simeone is notable for masterminding a team set-up laden with strong defensive connotation.
While Liverpool attacks the opposition has to defend while finding a balance in transition as the case may be in the contest. Klopp’s match rhythm and formular could come into play against Simeone’s tactical reshuffling as he sets his side inorder to break-up Liverpool plays in the middle.
This sees Thomas Partey a good joker for this attributes even as Liverpool would benefit tactical and on the inspirational level as Jordan Henderson could return to the line-up for this game.
