Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool ‘can’t take comebacks for granted’ ahead of Real Madrid test

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool ‘can’t take comebacks for granted’ just because they’ve stunned opponents in the past as they try and overhaul a 3-1 deficit against Real Madrid.

Klopp’s side famously came back from 3-0 down to beat Barcelona 4-0 in the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.

And precisely five years ago on Wednesday they also came from three goals behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-3 and reach the Europa League semi-finals.

One both occasions, they had a raucous Anfield crowd squarely behind them and that factor will be missing when they host the 13-time European champions.

Klopp said Liverpool can only enjoy another famous European night through belief, application and a performance significantly improved from last week’s defeat in Madrid.

Asked about comebacks and the chances of another, Klopp said: ‘We will see. Some of the boys were involved in these games [against Dortmund and Barcelona].

‘You cannot take it for granted, you never should and could. You don’t get a comeback because you had a comeback in the past.

‘You have to play really good football in the present. The best situation is when you’re not in a situation when you need a comeback.

‘But the situation is clear and that’s why this competition is so interesting because you have rules like the away goals and it makes it really exciting.

‘We should not concede and then if we can create more than in Madrid, and that should be possible because we didn’t create too much, we will see what we can do.

‘We cannot just take comebacks for granted, especially not without a crowd in the stadium. We have to create out own atmosphere.’

Though Liverpool were second best as the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano last Tuesday, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s away goal they can advance with a 2-0 win.  

More to follow