CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PREVIEW
LIVERPOOL’S James Milner believes there will be another special European night at Anfield as they prepare to overturn their Champions League last-16 deficit against Atletico Madrid tonight. The European champions trail 1-0 from the first leg in Madrid.
It is a situation Liverpool have become accustomed to after they turned around a three-goal deficit against Barcelona at Anfield in the semi-finals last season before lifting their sixth title in Madrid.
Milner says their overwhelming support is key to such victories.
“The crowd will be right with us, and it’ll be a special night – it always is, so it’s down to us to turn around a tough result,” Milner said.
“We know how good they (Atletico Madrid) are, we know how well organised they are but hopefully we can push them all the way and overturn that and have another special night at Anfield.”
Jurgen Klopp’s side got back to winning ways at the weekend after two successive defeats on the road with a 2-1 home win against Bournemouth.
As the Premier League leaders look to claim their first English league title for 30 years, Liverpool have broken their own English record for consecutive home victories with 22 – the previous record was held by Bill Shankly’s 1972 Liverpool team.
“I think obviously coming into that (Atletico) game off the back of a good result (against Bournemouth) is pleasing, it gives us a good feeling,” Milner said.
“You look at how amazing the teams have been through the years for Liverpool and teams for Shankly and things like that, to be mentioned in the same level as those guys and to be up there with the records is special for us and that’s what we want to keep doing.
“We just want to keep winning trophies and breaking as many records as we can,” he added.
Atletico have visited Anfield in the Champions League twice before and they have never won.
In the 2008-09 campaign they earned a 1-1 draw and in the following year, they lost 2-1, but both those results will be good enough to reach the next stage this time.
Also making a return to England will be former Tottenham Hotspur defender Kieran Trippier and he has told his Atletico teammates how tough Anfield is to visit.
“Anfield is probably one of the best stadiums there is with the atmosphere,” he said.
“I’ve been speaking to the lads about what it will be like and they will try and make it as intimidating as possible.
“We know it’s going to be difficult but we have the mindset that we will qualify and we’re ready for the challenge.”