DIEGO’S ALL THE RAGE Klopp: I’m a clear second best in battle of the crazy coaches
SIMEONE: REDS ARE ONE OF THE GREATS
DIEGO SIMEONE thinks Liverpool will go down as one of the greatest teams in history. Simeone’s Atletico Madrid side, who will be without former Tottenham full-back Kieran Trippier due to injury, host the Reds in the Champions League last 16 tonight and are looking to prevent them from making it back-to-back European titles.
But the Argentinian knows it will be a huge task for his
LIVERPOOL’S favourite German reckons he will be like a ‘Kindergarten Klopp’ compared to rival Diego Simeone in Madrid tonight.
Jurgen Klopp’s Champions League holders face Atletico Madrid in a last 16, first-leg tie in the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Klopp has earned a reputation for being a bit of a madman on the touchline during games but believes he is sane compared to the histrionics and raging behaviour of Argentinian Simeone.
He said: “People say about me I am emotional on the sideline. But if I am level four, I would say he is level 12.
“I am really like the Kindergarten Cop against him. He’s really impressive. He has been here eight years. That is really long, and still having this emotional level, wow. That is really impressive.
“His teams are always world-class organised.
“That makes him one of the best. We have exchanged messages after big games. We meet in a competitive game for the first time. It will be interesting, really interesting.”
Klopp knows his reigning champs will be favourites to progress over two legs but is taking nothing for granted against a team with a proud European record themselves.
He added: “It looks like some of the best games we had were away games.
“Bayern (Munich) was one of the best I have witnessed.
“Against Barcelona we were 3-0 down but it was one of the best I have witnessed. If we can get a result, we know Anfield is a proper threat and help. “That is the story so far. I have nothing bad to say
from JEREMY CROSS in Madrid La Liga outfit because he is convinced the holders are destined for greatness.
Simeone, who is also sweating on the fitness of Diego Costa and Hector Herrera, said: “We are facing a magnificent team.
“They are really well trained by a coach who has different alternatives in his side.
“He can play counter-attack, he can play the positioning from JEREMY CROSS in Madrid
about this situation but it doesn’t mean it will be the same again this time.”
One person reluctant to look back on the past is Trent Alexander-Arnold, who admits returning to the scene of his greatest triumph will count for nothing this evening.
The defender, 21, (inset) goes back to the Wanda Metropolitano less than nine months after helping the Reds beat Tottenham 2-0 here to land their sixth European Cup.
The place holds special memories for him and his club colleagues but he has no intention of dwelling on it as Klopp’s unstoppable outfit look to make it back-to-back titles.
The England ace said: “Obviously the place holds good memories for us – it’s where a lot of our dreams came true.
“But you can’t focus on the past. Now it’s about trying to win this competition again, trying to get a result. We know it will be difficult so we need to focus.” Alexander-Arnold has been tipped to become the first rightback to win the Ballon d’Or by Brazilian legend Cafu. He admits the compliment is a big one and that he’s flattered but he is more concerned with winning team trophies than any individual ones.
“It’s massive praise, coming from a legend of the game,” said Alexander-Arnold. “It’s something that’s nice to hear. Accolades might come in the future but it doesn’t really faze me. It’s about winning the team trophies.” game, they are very strong in the air and he has been creating this team for four years now.
“The team has become even stronger. That says a lot about the footballers who are still with Liverpool.
“We have always spoken about great teams throughout time and I have no doubt this Liverpool is going to go down in history as a great team.
“It is different to teams that we have admired. This team is much more intense, more adaptable and it makes me admire it as a rival.”
Simeone is expecting a high-octane atmosphere and he added: “I know the stadium is going to explode.
“We are going to play against some vibrant fans from Liverpool but I really trust my fans and my players.
“I don’t see any pessimism from my players, I see what I like most of all – optimism.”