Liverpool face tough Atletico task

HOLDERS Liverpool have a tough challenge to overcome a 1-0 deficit to Atletico Madrid in the return leg of their last 16 tie in the Champions League tomorrow.

However, this week’s games are taking place in the shadow of the coronavirus emergency which sees two matches being played behind closed doors: Valencia’s home leg against Italian side Atalanta tonight, and Paris Saint-German versus Borussia Dortmund tomorrow.

RB Leipzig discussed yesterday with health authorities a possible closeddoor game against Tottenham Hotspur tonight, but it was decided to go ahead with the match as normal.

Liverpool’s game at Anfield is also scheduled to go ahead as planned pending a meeting between sports governing bodies and government officials.

After losing against a defensively tough Atletico in Madrid, Liverpool will need all the backing of the Kop, which has helped them to so many magical European nights, if they are to progress against Diego Simeone’s side.

Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope his team can build on a 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League after a dip in form and is waiting on the fitness of captain Jordan Henderson, who has returned to training following a hamstring injury. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is still out with a hip injury.

Simeone should have a fully-fit squad and will be out to avoid a repeat of last season’s exit when his side surrendered a 2-0 lead by losing the second leg at Juventus 3-0.

Midfielder Marcos Llorente dismissed the idea that Liverpool’s first defeat in the Premier League recently would affect them in the second leg.

“That’s one tournament and the Champions League is another,” he said.

“It will be difficult. It was very tough for us at home and it will not be any easier there. We have to start the game at full power because that is exactly what they will do.”

Borussia Dortmund take a slender 2-1 lead to Paris as one of the Bundesliga trio, along with Leipzig and Bayern Munich, trying to reach the quarter-finals.