Robertson seeking to silence doubters

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson insists the players are determined to prolong their Champions League season despite few people giving them a chance of making the semifinals after their woeful first-leg performance against Real Madrid.

Jurgen Klopp’s side trail 3-1 heading into the second leg at Anfield, which devoid of fans will not be able to provide the backdrop for another potential comeback like the one famously fashioned against Barcelona two years ago.

Former Dundee United star Robertson believes the task that awaits them tonight is equal to that which faced them after losing 3-0 to Lionel Messiinspired opponents in the Nou Camp, when supporters played their part in the 4-0 home win.

“They are both as hard, and are different but same in their own way,” said the Scotland captain.

“Barcelona that night was obviously incredible and wouldn’t have been possible without fans in there. The fans made us feel 10 feet tall and believe even more. We felt before that game we could overturn it.

“Walking out in front of 55,000 other people who believed gave that extra five or 10% which makes a huge difference. Unfortunately tomorrow night we won’t have that.

“We are coming up against the team that is the most experienced in this tournament and won it the most times (13) in the short history and long history.

“It’s a big task for us and isn’t the same as the Barcelona game. We can’t rely on the fact we came back in that game that we are going to come back in this one.

“People have maybe written us off but we believe we can put in a better performance than last week.

“We believe we can win the game. If we do that it gives us a fighting chance; let’s see if it’s enough. Our determination is to take our chances, keep a clean sheet and make it as uncomfortable for them as possible.

“It needs to be a close-toperfect game. We’ve done it in the past but we can’t rely on that. It’s up to us to create a Champions League night at Anfield without the fans.”

Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has urged his Manchester City players to seize the moment and secure their place in the semi-finals. The Premier League leaders are bidding to reach the last four for the first time since 2016 as they take a 2-1 advantage to Borussia Dortmund for the second leg of their quarterfinal tonight.

City have suffered defeat in the last 16 and in three successive quarter-finals since Guardiola took charge of the club.

The City boss said: “Now is the time to make another step. Everyone wants it. The players want to do it again because they were sad when we were not able to go to the semi-finals and this an opportunity to prove ourselves.

“But nobody’s going to give it to us. We have to win it, we have to do it. Just for being in this position nobody is going to say, ‘Just go to the semi-finals’.

“If we’re good we’re going to do it.”