Jurgen Klopp has conceded he thinks Liverpool are as good as out of this year’s Champions League after their 5-2 loss to Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
The Reds had taken an early 2-0 lead at Anfield, only to find themselves going in level at the break before suffering an emphatic collapse in the second half.
As a result, Liverpool now need to score three goals without reply at the Bernabeu just to force extra-time, with them needing at least four goals to progress to this year’s quarter-finals.
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And while he admitted he will be more optimistic next month ahead of the trip to Madrid on March 15, and insisted Liverpool will travel to Spain intending to win the game, as things stand he believes the tie is over.
“Real Madrid is one of the best teams in the world,” he told reporters. “Thankfully we don’t face them every three days. There are things we have to improve.
“We could have been calmer on the ball but it was really difficult for Madrid to defend, I would say. Much more than they wished for. It’s the way we used to play, let me say it like this, in the past.
“In the second half we just weren’t as good so it was probably easier to defend against us. I think Carlo thinks the tie is over. And I think it as well, in the moment, but in three weeks? That’s how it is in these moments.
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“The closer it gets to the game, the bigger our chances become and the less likely it is that the tie is over. But tonight with 5-2 and you see the game.
“They are pretty good with counter-attacking, we have to score their three goals, so take some risks. That could be a bit tricky. But it’s really not in my mind.
“So we go there, I can say that we are out already, and try to win the game. If that’s possible or not, I don’t know now but that is what we will try. We will see.”
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