LONDON • Anfield is made for special European nights like this and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson is confident his team will rise to the occasion when they host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash tomorrow.
After returning to form with a 3-0 Premier League win against Bournemouth on Feb 9, the Reds jetted off to Marbella, Spain, for a four-day warm-weather training camp.
Left-back Robertson is adamant that the squad are now rejuvenated and ready for a crucial run of matches. After the Bayern game, the Reds travel to Old Trafford to tackle Manchester United in a crucial league fixture.
"Two massive games. When we landed in Marbella on Monday, our full focus was on the Bayern Munich game," Robertson told the club's official website.
"We need to be at full throttle for that game. They are such a good team and they have been the last six or seven years so we know what a tough task it will be.
"But we believe we can cause any teams problems and we have to be at our best."
Liverpool are undefeated at Anfield in European competitions since 2014, and Robertson believes the home support will be decisive.
"Everyone knows how special nights here are in the Champions League," said the 24-year-old Scotland international.
"We feed off each other. Players feed off the fans and the fans feed off the players because it's up to us to get them to have something to shout about.
"But it also helps when they're getting behind us and it can maybe give you that extra percentage in the game. That's what home fans are for."
Influential centre-back Virgil van Dijk is suspended for the first leg and the Reds' defensive situation is further complicated by injuries to Joe Gomez (fractured leg) and Dejan Lovren (hamstring).
This means that manager Jurgen Klopp could deploy Brazilian midfielder Fabinho alongside Joel Matip against the Bundesliga champions.
Former Liverpool centre-back Sami Hyypia is confident that the Reds can cope without van Dijk and expects other players to fill the void.
"It is very difficult to find a weakness. He is an ultimate centre-back and it would be a pleasure to play alongside him. He is so good," Hyypia said of the £75 million (S$131 million) arrival in January last year.
"These kinds of things (his suspension) give other players an opportunity to shine and take responsibility, and I hope the ones who play step up and do their job properly."
After an indifferent start to the Bundesliga season, Bayern are now just two points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund after a 3-2 win over Augsburg on Saturday but they have played a game more.
Hyypia warned the Reds that it would be wrong to discount the five-time European champions who last won the Champions League in 2013.
"When the draw was made, everyone was saying that Bayern were not the Bayern of old, but they are a very dangerous team," said the Finn. "Liverpool can't underestimate them. They need to respect them, analyse their weaknesses and then strike.
"I think one of their weaknesses is defending against the counter-attack, and Liverpool are not bad in that area. I think that can cause problems for them."
Chhetri rues missed chances in game of 'small margins' before salvaging a 1-1 draw when Hong Kong missed an added-time penalty. but the Asian Football Confederation postponed the match for
Tag: Blog - Football Asia - Bloglikes
Rose confident Spurs can cope without Kane and Alli, Football
Here's the thing: none of those things are checked off my list. I'm freaking out a little bit. I have no idea how to do taxes, I do not want to go to an adult dentist, and I am too afraid to get a haircut by myself. Growing up scares the actual heck out of me and I am not afraid to admit it. Once you grow up, you can't go back.
Never Give Up Quotes - BrainyQuote
Real Madrid inflicted a painful 3-1 defeat on rivals Barcelona, completing a 4-2 aggregate win in the Copa del Rey semi-final second-leg in the Nou Camp. Cristiano Ronaldo picked himself up after
Real Madrid vs. Barcelona - Football Match Report - February
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri admitted it will be hard to deny Eden Hazard a move to Real Madrid this summer, even if a reported £100 million move is "too cheap" for the Belgian captain. Hazard was in stunning form as the Blues moved up to third in the Premier League, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win over West Ham on Monday.
Mix - New Kids On The Block - This One's for the Children YouTube New Kids On The Block - If You Go Away - Duration: 3:57. New Kids on the Block 8,109,358 views
52,000 teachers strike in New Zealand - wsws.org
Football News -LONDON (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp - World
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/05/liverpool-staying-positive-despite-blip-says-klopp/
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp AFP March 5, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Jurgen Klopp has vowed that Liverpool will remain positive as they battle for the Premier League title despite a wobble that has enabled Manchester City to seize the initiative.
Liverpool staying positive despite blip, says Klopp -football
London - England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the Premier League title race and upcoming Champions
Kane insists club rivalries will not split England camp
Welcome! Log into your account. your username. your password
Klopp relaxed about Salah's Liverpool drought - sports.yahoo.com
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer joined Matt Busby in the Man United record books following his fourth victory as boss against Newcastle. Solskjaer extends perfect record as Man United beat Newcastle | Sport24
Newcastle United - Record against Ipswich Town
Keeping aside all the rumours, news, and blah blah, here are the five things that we learnt from the Premier League weekend. #1 Harry Kane is no more a future prospect
Premier League: Five things we learned from the weekend's
Thierry Henry was suspended by Monaco on Thursday and looked set to lose his job as coach after only three months in charge at the Ligue 1 club, with former manager Leonardo Jardim expected to
Suspended Thierry Henry Set to Lose Monaco Job - News18
Man City late comeback stuns Schalke Manchester City's English forward Raheem Sterling celebrates after scoring the winning goal during their Uefa Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Schalke 04 on February 20, 2019 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
10-man City late comeback stuns Schalke in Champions League
Spain wasteful but Enrique happy with chances created VALENCIA • Spain coach Luis Enrique has played down his team's profligacy in their Euro 2020 opening qualifier against Norway by taking solace in how many chances they created at the Mestalla.
Sergio Ramos Converts Penalty as Spain Beat Norway 2-1 in
0 comments:
Post a Comment