Liverpool have proven themselves as unrivalled specialists when triumphing in the face of adversity.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Liverpool players celebrate with fans after the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
There was St Ettiene, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and of course, Barcelona. Now, it is Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid who await the Anfield cauldron.
The Spanish giants hold a 1-0 advantage following their win at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium last month.
Commence Operation Anfield.
Liverpool have been here before and there are parallels with the Barcelona triumph that could set up for another European night to remember for the current continental kings.
Ahead of the match, Liverpool will be looking to overturn a deficit against Spanish opposition with Anfield’s 12th man once again encouraged to come to the fore.
Similarly to last season against Barcelona, Liverpool arrive at their home fortress with key injuries that threaten to jeopardise their Champions League status.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with Trent Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 07, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Last season Liverpool were without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino for their semi-final bout with Barca, this time around it’s Alisson Becker who has been confirmed as absent while it remains to be seen if Jordan Henderson has won his race against time to be fit for their do-or-die European spectacle.
Meanwhile, similarly to 10 months prior, Atletico – as did Barcelona – will arrive at Anfield with a full squad to pick from as it will be the first time Simeone has a full complement of players to choose from as he gets ready to try and defend a one-goal lead on Wednesday night against the defending European champions.
AS have reported that Alvaro Morata, who suffered an injury to his thigh in Atletico’s match against Sevilla at the weekend, did not take part in training ahead of his side’s trip to Merseyside though was only reserved as a precaution and is now ‘in good condition’ ahead of the Anfield clash.
Kieran Trippier and Joao Felix took part in the group session and are expected to start while Thomas Lemar has also returned after becoming injured in the first-leg against the Reds.
Left-back Renan Lodi also trained without any issues after being left out of the Sevilla squad with muscular discomfort.
Despite the odds potentially favouring Atletico following Liverpool’s recent struggles, if there is one thing football has taught us over the past 18 months it’s the power of an atmosphere.
Over to you then, Anfield.