TRIPPIER’S SPUR A WINNING MENTALITY

KIERAN TRIPPIER says he never once feared going to Anfield with Spurs... and he’s not about to start now.

The man who skippered England to a 5-0 win in Andorra last month returns to his homeland with Atletico Madrid in a Champions League tie on Merseyside crucial to the Spanish club’s chances of reaching the knockout stage.

And the full-back says they will be going all out for the win – unafraid of Liverpool’s fearsome reputation – and undaunted by defeat in Madrid two weeks ago.

Trippier (left) said: “When I was at Tottenham we went there to win and it’s no different for Atletico Madrid. It is to go there and get three points.

“The atmosphere is good and these are the games as players you want to be involved in. It’s going to be electric but a very entertaining game to watch.

“We don’t go into any game to try to go for the draw. We want to win, we have that winning mentality at this club. We go there full of confidence, we have this fantastic squad.

“We showed character, the fight and desire last year to beat Liverpool – and it will be no different. We go there with the same winning mentality to get the three points.”

Atletico knocked Liverpool out of the Champions League at the first knockout stage, with a pulsating 3-2 win at Anfield just before the Covid lockdown 20 months ago.

That was reversed with Liverpool’s win in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium a fortnight ago which puts

Jurgen Klopp’s side on the brink of qualification with a perfect record so far in a tough group.

Trippier, 31, says his team must be brave enough to take the fight to the Reds, and added: “With the Man United game they started fast and on the front foot and they were clinical.

“So that’s what you have to be careful of, because Liverpool always start very fast. But the most important thing is we have to go there with a winning mentality.

“We have to be brave and fight because in moments we know it is going to be difficult.

“But we have great character as a team and individuals.”

We have to be careful because Liverpool always start very fast... we have to be brave and fight hard