After Liverpool lost their second Champions League final to Real Madrid last season in recent years, they have been drawn alongside the European champions once again in a much-awaited last-16 tie.
Despite the Reds bossing proceedings for a chunk of the clash, a Man of the Match display from Thibaut Courtois coupled with Vinicius Jr.’s clinical close-range finish meant the elusive trophy was not coming back to Anfield.
While Los Blancos have gone from strength to strength this term and are favourites to win the competition once again, the Merseyside-based side have dramatically regressed since both sides last met in May.
After all, Liverpool are languishing in 8th place in the Premier League, with a title win looking nothing short of a pipe dream while Real Madrid could defend their La Liga crown once again this season.
As his side are set to face arguably the toughest side in the competition, Jurgen Klopp had his say on the draw.
“The first thing that we can say about this draw is it is proper Champions League. This is a tie that speaks for itself and one that we should all be excited about.
I know we have played Real Madrid in a couple of recent finals but it is not so often that our two clubs have met in a two-legged tie so now we can look forward to this happening”, he said, as relayed by Anfield Watch.
Klopp continued, “Real’s European record is the best around. We know this. But we also know that ours is not too bad. On top of this, we know that we have Anfield and everyone knows what this means.
“It is a really good draw. A really exciting draw. The games themselves are still a few months away but it does not take a great deal of imagination to think what the atmosphere will be like at both games. This draw has given us something special to look forward to.”
Only time will tell whether Jurgen Klopp’s positivity will be shared by his players as they aim to avenge their defeat in Paris earlier this year.
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