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Liverpool got through their group easily, then beat Inter Milan, Benfica and Villarreal. Real Madrid, though, will be an altogether different task, with the atmosphere likely to be huge.
In the biggest tie of the round, along with PSG vs Bayern Munich, the biggest players will need to take centre stage. Salah is most definitely that.
Liverpool will have wanted to avoid facing serial Champions League contenders Real Madrid until the latter part of the tournament, but the draw had other ideas.
Courtois comments revisited
The aforementioned goalkeeping heroics from Real Madrid stopper Courtois were a forgotten moment in the aftermath of the 2022 final in Paris, with other events rightly taking over.
Liverpool might prefer to play Real Madrid later in the tournament at the very least — at least one of the two European giants will be exiting far earlier than anticipated — but this is a chance to test the theory that over two games, 世界杯游戏下注app the Reds might have more of a chance.
These are the four things that Liverpool.com believe will 'definitely' happen after the Reds were paired with Real Madrid.
Liverpool have history with Real Madrid, and Salah is right at the centre of it. In Kyiv, he was injured. In Paris, he was thwarted by Thibaut Courtois with some sublime saves winning the game for Los Blancos.
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By the time the last-16 comes around, Liverpool could be in very different form, perhaps with Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota back among their ranks, and maybe even with a January signing or two.
Havi 世界杯下注app ng narrowly beaten Liverpool in the final last season in Paris, Real Madrid will also have wanted to avoid facing the Reds, in truth, even if Jürgen Klopp's men have not been at their best this year so far.
Given that the season prior to that was without fans, this will be the first 'proper' Anfield European atmosphere for some time — since the Reds were knocked out at this stage of the competition by Atlético Madrid in 2020.
Mohamed Salah revenge
Two-legged debate
"Yesterday in the press conference I said that when Madrid plays finals they win. I was on the good side of history," Courtois said.
All of the Liverpool players will be right up for the game with Real Madrid, of course, but Salah especially will want to prove a point on the biggest stage.
That dig at Liverpool supporters and the Premier League in general came after a Man of the Match display, but he will have to be equally inspired again in the New Year to keep Salah and co out once again.
"I saw a lot of tweets coming my way that I would get humbled today: it was the other way round. Today I needed to win a final for my career, for all the hard work to put respect on my name as I don't think I get enough respect, especially in England. I saw a lot of criticism even after a great season."
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Anfield factor
Would you rather play Real Madrid over one leg or two? Havi 世界杯竞猜下注app ng failed to beat them in a final, are Liverpool more or less likely to beat them earlier in the competition? The debate has already begun.
READ MORE: Liverpool should seal £61m transfer of 'new Kevin de Bruyne' who is close to matching Lionel Messi
But the Belgian was quick to hit out as his 'critics' in England, taking aim at what he perceived as a lack of recognition.
READ MORE: Jürgen Klopp just got major Champions League boost new Liverpool edge will confirm in six days
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Liverpool will play at home in the first leg having finished second in their group, but Anfield will still play an important role. Last season, their European ties were generally straightforward. |
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发表于 2022-11-8 01:33:59
发表于 2022-11-10 17:33:42