Liverpool Vs Atletico Madrid: 3 factors which can change Liverpool’s destiny in the Champions League clash against Los Rojniblancos.
Liverpool is going to face Atletico Madrid in the 2nd leg encounter of the round of 16 in the Champions League. The Reds would be looking forward to overturning the setback they faced at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Honestly, Liverpool has been sensational this season, but a string of defeats which included the first leg clash against Atletico Madrid made many started doubting the European champions.
On the other hand, many also started banking on Los Rojniblancos coming out at the top even at the Anfield. However, in the last Premier League game-week, Liverpool proved they aren’t as weak as they are assumed to be.
Though, the FA Cup elimination against Chelsea did hurt the Reds but still, Atletico Madrid face one of the toughest challenges of beating Liverpool at the Anfield, which is still unachievable in more than a year.
Surely, Jurgen Klopp would be ready to put his every single resource to win the game against the Spaniards. The challenge ahead is tough for the Kops but it is still achievable.
Hence, let’s look at the three players Liverpool could rely upon to win the Champions League tie and enter the quarter-finals of the competition tonight.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane partnership
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane together have created a formidable partnership. Both have been effective in their roles and have been scoring goals and creating chances to give Liverpool a successful year.
Failed to make an impact in the first leg, the duo will be even more motivated to take Liverpool ahead in the competition. Mane especially, who has been crucial in the crunch games like these.
Both players have around 36 goals to their names together and have been the winning factor for Jurgen Klopp during the 44 matches unbeaten streak.
Thus, the partnership of Mane and Salah will be crucial for Liverpool against Atletico Madrid, as the Reds march onto play one of the most difficult matches of their season.
The midfield battle
Liverpool’s midfield may not be as creative as other top sides’ midfield lineups are but it definitely does the job at the end of the day. Moreover, the daunting setup also makes it difficult to score against Liverpool.
Although, without Jordan Henderson, Liverpool has struggled, yet the Reds can still achieve the objective with Fabinho, Georgino Wijnaldum and Naby Keita in the lineup.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s midfield players have been underwhelming this season except for Thomas Partey, and that is not enough for Diego Simeone’s side at the Anfield.
It was this midfield setup only which kept Barcelona shut for whole 90 minutes the last season and allowed the frontline to do the further damage, which allowed them to make one of the historic comebacks in the tournament.
The fullback duo
Liverpool’s most prized assets after Mane and Salah are probably the fullback duo of Trent Alexander Arnold and Andrew Robertson. The duo combined has 19 assists in the Premier League alone this season.
Moreover, the creativity they bring in with their switch play is one of the unique aspects of the game-style of Liverpool. Their crosses inside the box are surely one of the most lethal things by Liverpool.
Moreover, Alexander Arnold is usually involved in the set-piece duties of Liverpool, and his accurate delivery inside the box gives Virgil Van Dijk to pin a header into the goalposts.
