Liverpool line up against Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League clash on Wednesday, with the Reds needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit. Jurgen Klopp’s side were unable to beat Jan Oblak in the Los Rojiblancos goal, meaning that their backs will be up against a wall at Anfield as they attempt to keep the opposition out. An away goal for Diego Simeone’s side would leave Liverpool needing three to win and considering Atletico Madrid have conceded just 21 goals in 27 Spanish La Liga matches, a trio of Liverpool goals is an unlikely occurrence.
Ahead of the second leg, positive news for fans of the Reds which may leave them exhaling a sigh of relief lies in exploiting Atletico’s Champions League weakness. Simeone’s side have failed to score away from their Madrid home in the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2017 and have won just two of their previous 12 away fixtures in Uefa’s prestigious European competition.
The performances have been in stark contrast to Atletico’s home form in the competition where they are unbeaten in the knockout stages of the Champions League since 1997. That perhaps explains why Liverpool, and Sadio Mane in particular who was substituted at half time, endured such a torrid evening at the Wanda Metropolitano during the first leg.
Meanwhile, Liverpool thrive in Europe at Anfield, and there have been some raucous occasions on the red half Merseyside of late during which the Reds have come back from the brink on more than one occasion. Under Klopp that has included the incredible comeback against his former side Borussia Dortmund, as well as the emphatic and emotional triumph over Barcelona in the semi-final stage of this competition last season.
The stage is set for yet another display of defiance from the runaway Premier League leaders as they set about defending the European title they won for a sixth time last season. Should they break the deadlock on Wednesday Atletico Madrid will have it all to do to progress from the tie, and the Spanish side will have to break a streak extending back three years if they are to dethrone the reigning champions.
