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."
Manchester United transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged to forget signing 'world class' stars and go after the best young players Paul Pogba, Alexis Sanchez and The veteran manager
Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford strike as Manchester United
Jurgen Klopp has revealed that Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to full training as early as February. The 25-year-old underwent knee surgery in May after sustaining an
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training in February
A remarkable display of hope and empathy from Sport Cover, the agency representing Emiliano Sala, has seen the company raise sufficient funds to continue the search for the Argentinian footballer
Emiliano Sala missing: Search for Cardiff City footballer
Critical safety issues have meant that Spurs are not able to start the season in their new stadium, following a season playing at Wembley.
Deeney set to miss Tottenham clash with one eye on Arsenal
Pochettino plans to ruin old pal Guardiola's Champions League bid Guardiola's side must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at the Etihad Stadium to avoid extending their manager's frustrating
Pochettino plans to ruin old pal Guardiola's Champions League bid
National sports agency Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced on Sunday that they have penned a three-year partnership with Bayern Munich. As a result of this tie-up, both the parties involved will
Bayern Munich announce 3-year partnership with Sport
Home/Sports/ Singapore's Akbar is greatest coach in I-League, Singapore's Akbar is greatest coach in I-League, Soccer Information & High Tales. waka 2 days ago.
Football: Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas is I-League's best
Porto progressed to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Alex Telles' penalty secured a 3-1 victory over Roma three minutes from the end of extra-time. Porto go through with extra
UEFA: FC Porto go through with extra time VAR penalty kick
(16 Feb 2019) Friends and family bid farewell to Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala's on Saturday, during a ceremony in his hometown of Progreso Emiliano Sala's father and brother carried his
Emiliano Sala's Grieving Argentine Hometown Bids Farewell
German champions Bayern Munich have not yet made an offer for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane despite their long-standing desire to sign him, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday.
Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard LONDON: Eden Hazard must deliver more to realise his full potential and help dig Chelsea out of a slump in form, manager Maurizio Sarri
Chelsea boss Sarri demands more from 'individual' Hazard
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar