Liverpool host Atletico Madrid in the return leg of their Champions League last-16 bout at Anfield tonight and Charlie Nicholas has claimed that Diego Simeone’s team will not be phased by the home crowd.
Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp attends a press conference at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north west England on March 10, 2020, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
The Spanish giants currently lead the tie 1-0 following Saul Niguez’s solo goal at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium three weeks ago.
Jurgen Klopp’s team will be hoping the power of the Reds’ iconic home ground will come to the fore as Liverpool once again look to overturn a Champions League deficit against Spanish opposition.
Commence Operation Anfield Exercise.
Ahead of the clash, Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas made his European predictions for the upcoming fixtures and although he has called Liverpool to progress into the quarter-finals of the competition, he claimed he wasn’t at all convinced by his prediction.
He said: “The Anfield crowd will not phase Atletico. It will be down to the performance – some teams turn up already beaten.
“Atletico are a dogged side and they will rough Liverpool up. I think Liverpool will win, but I can see Atletico sneaking a goal.
“For the sake of Liverpool and Anfield, I am going with a 2-0 victory, but I would not rule out the likes of Costa coming back to haunt them. I am not convinced by my prediction.”
Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp attends a press conference at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, north west England on March 10, 2020, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg football match against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
What RTK has to say
This statement perhaps needs a bit of context before it is blown out of proportion.
Jurgen Klopp has never lost a Champions League match at Anfield and has never been bettered over two-legs of a European knockout bout since arriving at the club in October 2015.
Many have come to Anfield and have fallen prey to the infectious atmosphere. Whether it has been Barcelona, PSG, Manchester City or Napoli, all have fallen victim to the power of Liverpool’s iconic venue.
While Atletico could very well cause an upset when they arrive at the home of the competition’s current holders, it is very premature to suggest that the Anfield crowd will not have an effect on the players altogether.