Liverpool know the task that lies ahead at the Santiago Bernabeu is a daunting one – that much is clear with the 1% chance Jurgen Klopp referenced with regard to the club’s hopes of progressing through to the next round of the Champions League.
Not great odds, it has to be said, though it’s worth pointing out that the Reds would have hardly been the bookies’ favourites to pull of a comeback in Istanbul in 2005, nor against Barcelona back in 2018/19.
It’s a slim chance to create history yet again – the last chance for a number of the current crop before the changes are rung in during the summer window – though an opportunity one can imagine the manager will be holding on to tightly as he looks to inspire another round of greatness.
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Ahead of Alisson Becker, the 55-year-old tactician has given the nod to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in the heart of the backline, as was expected.
The double absence of Jordan Henderson and Stefan Bajcetic means that Klopp is forced to tinker slightly with his midfield setup, starting Fabinho and James Milner in the middle of the park.
Up top, Mo Salah, Cody Gapo, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota form an attack-heavy forward line ahead of our clash at the Bernabeu.
You can catch the full team news below, courtesy of @LFC:
And the team news is…. LIVE! Thoughts on the XI Klopp has gone with for Madrid? 🔴 #LFC pic.twitter.com/bNkTgilcWV
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) March 15, 2023
It is completely unrealistic to play Milnerl, he was past his best when he left man city, his partner have not got the legs to create opportunities, Klopp must go he is unable to develop squad.
What are u talking about dude?? Who would u play? Bajcetic, Thiago and Hendo are all unavailable!! Who should he play? Keita? He has been a disaster every time he was selected? Ox? Who? Elliott is also slow and physically easy to bully and inexperienced! At least Milner has experience and can be nasty if need be! Ideal? Clearly not, but this is the squad we have. Am all for criticizing Klopp for tolerating this level of lack of investment for years and having to carry players who are perennially injured or not good enough, but with what we have available now it’s probably the best line up he can put out… apart from the fact that this games means nothing as we have zero chances to advance anyways.