Jurgen Klopp defiant in the knowledge Atletico Madrid war is not nearly over

The Premier League leaders lost the first leg as Atletico produced a trademark defensive display, but Klopp can still count on the power of Anfield to win this tactical war

Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool showing his appreciation to the fans (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

In the immediate aftermath of succumbing to an Atletico Madrid speciality at the Wanda Metropolitano on Tuesday night, it was evident that there were three core pillars of frustration for Liverpool.

First, the European champions were annoyed at their anaemic attacking display in the 1-0 defeat in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie. Despite recording 72% possession, Jurgen Klopp’s side did not produce a single shot on target after falling behind to Saul Níguez’s fourth-minute opener. It was only the second time under his tenure that the Merseysiders had failed to test an opposing goalkeeper.

“We can play better in the final third, it’s not only that we have to do specific things better, but we can play better,” Liverpool’s manager, who was able to field his strongest XI for the first time this season, admitted.

“Little details like how we pass the ball, the first touch was a lot of times not good from different players that we took wrong direction, so they could defend the crosses and all these things. That we know more about the opponent is what will help us, 100 per cent.”

Liverpool’s vexation at the gamesmanship from the hosts and the ease in which referee Szymon Marciniak bought into their playacting was also obvious. Left-back Andy Robertson was scathing during his post-match TV commitments, stating: “We gave them the best possible start and that gets the fans behind them and then they start falling over and getting under the skin a bit.”

In November 2018, the same official was in charge during Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes and the club felt he was swayed by the home crowd and suckered into awarding nothing fouls at the slightest contact.

It was rinse and repeat in Madrid. “You need to be really strong as a referee in this atmosphere,” Klopp said. “Already in the first 30 minutes three of their players went to the ground, I don’t know what for.”

Atleti’s playacting coupled with Marciniak’s propensity to blow his whistle in their favour in those situations led the German to withdraw Sadio Mane, who was on a booking, at half-time. “It is obviously part of football. I don’t like that,” Klopp offered.

“The plan tonight was get Sadio out of the game with a yellow card. I was afraid his opponent would go down now even if Sadio takes a deep breath or whatever and I didn’t want to have that situation, so that’s why we took him off.”

Another element that riled the Premier League leaders was Atleti’s supercharged celebrations following the final whistle, despite having a second leg still to play. “They celebrated as if they won the tie after the game,” Robertson pointed out as though he was making a mental note to use the scenes as motivation ahead of the reverse fixture. They are coming to Anfield and we know our fans will be up for it.”

Conducted by an arm-swirling, voice-thundering Diego Simeone, the Wanda Metropolitano crowd powered Atleti through a vintage display.

They have won 12 of their last 13 home games in all major European competitions with 11 clean sheets in that sequence and this was another defensive masterclass delivered amid a backdrop of appreciative, encouraging supporters.

“I think we started winning the game when our bus turned at the roundabout and we saw the reaction of the people,” buzzed ‘El Cholo’. “It enthused us. Something beautiful woke up in us. The feeling that came out of the people, the reply of the people, I’ve rarely seen from our fans at this level. They were there the whole game, it was really emotional. It made me want to put my boots on and go on the pitch.”

Klopp conceded it felt like Atleti were going “constantly to the petrol station and we drive with one tank” as a consequence of the atmosphere.

“I’m not sure if Diego saw a lot of the game because he was constantly animating the crowd, but we have the other side,” he said. “That changes, first and foremost, everything. We speak from time to time about the power of Anfield and the power of a stadium and what a stadium can have, here we saw it.

“So now it is half-time, we are 1-0 down. We would not give up if we had 15 minutes of half-time, so why should we give up when we have three weeks? Even better, the second half will be played in a different stadium, in our stadium, and that will be different as well.

“Atletico will feel that and that’s what we are looking forward to.”

Liverpool have been flawed on the road in Europe losing six of their 10 away matches in the competition since last season, but are formidable on their own turf. Simeone’s men have the lead and an advantage in the battle, but of the war, Klopp succinctly concluded: “Welcome to Anfield. It is not over yet.”