Didi Hamann does not rule out Liverpool making a comeback and eliminating Real Madrid from the Champions League. But the Reds progressing beyond the last 16 is ‘very unlikely’.
The Anfield natives trail Los Blancos 5-2 following the first leg of their UEFA encounter. But Hamann believes Jurgen Klopp’s team are still in the tie as the Merseysiders are capable of remarkable feats. He also feels Liverpool have proven their comeback credentials recently.
A resounding win at AFC Bournemouth this Saturday will also strengthen Liverpool’s belief for beating Real Madrid for Hamann. He feels the Reds building on humiliating Manchester United 7-0 last Sunday when they travel to the south coast could create the perfect storm.
Didi Hamann is ‘not ruling anything out’ ahead of Liverpool visiting Real Madrid
Liverpool led Real Madrid 2-0 only 14 minutes into the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. Darwin Nunez (4’) and Mohamed Salah (14’) handed Klopp’s side an advantage. But Vinicius Jr (21’, 36’), Eder Militao (47’) and Karim Benzema (55’, 67’) flipped the script.
The Anfield natives would draw 0-0 at Crystal Palace in the Premier League after their loss to Los Blancos. But Liverpool have since found momentum with a 2-0 win over Wolves and the humbling victory over Manchester United before they visit Bournemouth on Saturday.
Hamann believes a big win at Bournemouth can give Liverpool the self-belief that they can eliminate Real Madrid next Wednesday. Yet while he does not rule the Reds out of making a remarkable comeback, the former Anfield midfielder accepts Klopp has a terrifying task.
“Liverpool are on the verge of losing after being beaten 5-2 by Real Madrid,” he wrote in a column for Sky Germany. “But I’m not ruling anything out in football.
“There are few clubs that, once they get going, can trigger such a force that there is almost no answer for the opponent. Those clubs include Bayern, Liverpool and Real Madrid – who have turned games in every round over the past year.
The Reds’ trip to Bournemouth could be huge for their Champions League hopes
“If Liverpool score three or four goals again after beating Manchester United 7-0 at the weekend in Bournemouth, they will fly to Madrid and say: ‘Why not?’
“Such a runaway victory can do wonders for self-confidence. I don’t think it’s out of the question that Liverpool will go through but it’s very unlikely.”
Liverpool have history for remarkable comebacks in the Champions League ahead of facing Real Madrid. But Klopp faces a tough task to repeat their stunning result against Barcelona in 2019. After trailing 3-0 from the first leg, the Reds won their semi-final 4-3 on aggregate.
But Barcelona beat Liverpool at Camp Nou in the first leg before the Reds would fight back at Anfield. This time, Liverpool lost on home soil and must travel to Real Madrid to claim a quarter-finals spot by being the first team to score four goals against them so far this term.
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