Jurgen Klopp forced to endure ‘pure torture’ ahead of Liverpool’s crunch Champions League last 16 clash vs Real Madrid
JURGEN KLOPP revealed the “pure torture” of watching back last season’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.
But the Liverpool manager is hoping that his team can finally inflict some pain on Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the last 16 at Anfield on Tuesday.
Liverpool are gunning for revenge from May’s 1-0 defeat in Paris and Klopp has been boosted by back-to-back Premier League wins against Everton and Newcastle.
He said: “I hadn’t watched the final again until the weekend.
“Then I realised immediately why I hadn’t watched it back — because it was proper torture.
“We played a good game
“And that is the decisive word, ‘could’… they scored a decisive goal and we didn’t.
“Real do not worry when other teams have a chance and they do not lose confidence. They know their chance will come. They are a team we can learn from.
“But we have now had two wins. We feel it, we see it. It helps the mood massively.
“Four weeks ago it would have been different but life is all about surprises “
“We need to play two super games to go through. We have to be at our best to stand a chance.
“For Real Madrid it is different — even if they don’t play their best they still stand a chance.
“That’s what is special about them.”
Klopp is hoping for a red-hot atmosphere at Anfield, knowing that his side may need all the help they can get.
He said: “I can’t wait for the game.
“Going to the Bernabeu will be tough too. But who cares? It is the Champions League.
“One of the biggest games in the world.
“It will be a top game and I’m happy we can play now. I expect Anfield on their toes. I am really happy for the fans, that they saw us in a better shape the last couple of games — that they have a bit more to look forward to. Let’s go together again.”
Liverpool’s main injury worry is over striker Darwin Nunez, who suffered a shoulder issue against Newcastle.
He is likely to need a late fitness test but he did train on Monday.
Klopp said: “We have to see how he can deal with the pain.”
Los Blancos will be without two key midfield stars as both Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos are sidelined through illness.
Left-back Ferland Mendy was already out, having missed the last month with a thigh injury.
La Liga champions Real won 2-0 at tenth-place Osasuna at the weekend — with goals from Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio.
In their midfield for that game, Luka Modric was joined by former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos and France star Eduardo Camavinga.
