Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIRMINO’S EURO BASH
Champions League can revitalise us
DKKLKJ rhythm of matches we would not have suffered so many ROBERTO FIRMINO has Premier League defeats. challenged Liverpool to “But we have to cope. It’s turn their entire season not easy to concentrate with around with a reboot in everything that is happening HDGDJDA the Champions League. around you, not easy to
Liverpool face RB Leipzig focus on a game without a in the first leg of a last-16 tie crowd, but it’s the same for on Tuesday, dreaming of everyone. You have to do it. recreating their run to the “The season has been final two years ago when tough in all aspects. But this they beat Tottenham in team is mentally strong and Madrid to lift the trophy. we will still win trophies.
Firmino said: “We need to That’s the truth.” react because the season is Tuesday’s match will be not going as we expected, played in Budapest, as travel and the Champions League to Germany is currently is a good place to do it. banned, but Firmino added:
“We can start from scratch “We know from the last in this competition. We months with no fans, it know there is still a chance doesn’t matter so much to win it. which field you play on.
“We are not happy with “It won’t be easy because many of our latest results, Leipzig have a good team, but this can change – and we they are in this round can do it in this competition. because they deserve it. But
“The experience of I think we will be ready and winning the Champions it’s a big motivation for us to League before was unique, do well in this competition. something special for us and “The key will be to play as for the fans – we’d sign right Liverpool has always done, now to win it again this controlling the game and season.” scoring the first goal. If they
Firmino believes that are allowed to take control Liverpool’s patchy form is we will have many problems. down to injuries and the “Our season is not going as pressure of playing so many we wanted, but this year games during a season everything can change for squashed into a shorter you in just 48 or 72 hours. timeframe. “You don’t have to be
He said: “Coronavirus and frustrated or lose your temper injuries are affecting football – just focus on winning the a lot this season and that next one and it can happen. includes us. With a normal That’s what we will do.”