Former Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek has posted on Instagram ahead of the Reds’ Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Atletico Madrid at Anfield tonight.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MAY 25: Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek of Poland saves a shot from AC Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko of Ukraine during the European Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 25, 2005 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)
Jurgen Klopp’s European champions trail Diego Simeone’s La Liga outfit 1-0 ahead of the reverse fixture following Saul Niguez’s solo goal at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium three weeks ago.
Liverpool have arrived at Anfield trailing against Spanish opposition in Europe twice in the past four years and have triumphed both times following emphatic victories against Barcelona and Villarreal.
Klopp has won all of his European knockout ties since taking charge of Liverpool in 2015 and has reached the final in all three of his Champions League and Europa League campaigns.
Meanwhile, Dudek will return to Anfield as a spectator and will certainly receive a glowing welcome from the Liverpool fanbase following his antics in the 2005 Champions League final.
The former Real Madrid shot-stopper was Liverpool’s penalty shootout hero in Istanbul as Rafa Benitez’s Reds pulled off the greatest comeback of all-time in a European Cup final.
Dudek denied Ballon d’Or winner Andriy Shevchenko with a fantastic double save in extra-time before also thwarting the Ukrainian’s decisive penalty-shootout spot-kick.
Ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Atletico, Dudek took to Instagram predicting another ‘great’ Anfield night as once again Klopp’s team look to overturn a Champions League deficit against Spanish opposition.
The former Poland international even posted his predicted Liverpool XI for the Anfield affair with both Jordan Henderson and Andy Robertson returning to the mix for the Reds.
Henderson, 29, returned to full training on Sunday, meaning the club-captain could come into contention for the last-16 bout.
Meanwhile, Robertson will be available for the meeting with Atletico on Wednesday after he missed the victory over Bournemouth as a precaution following a reoccurring ankle problem with James Milner covering in the Scotsman’s absence.