2019-20 UEFA Champions League Round of 16: Second Leg – Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid

Having suffered defeat in the first leg, reigning champions – Liverpool face a tough test as they welcome Atletico Madrid to Anfield with a spot in the Quarter Finals at stake. 

Liverpool need at least two goals in order to progress but a goal for Atletico would make the Reds’ task much harder as they would three goals or more to keep their title defence alive. 

 

Team news

Embed from Getty Images

Alisson is unavailable for Liverpool due to a hip injury which ruled him out of Saturday’s win over Bournemouth. 

Jordan Henderson (hamstring) and Andrew Robertson (knock) however could both return, but Xherdan Shaqiri (calf), Yasser Larouci (hamstring) and Nathaniel Clyne (knee) remain sidelined.

Atletico have no fresh injury concerns to report with a full squad available for selection, although Alvaro Morata might not be risked as he continues to recover from a thigh injury.

 

Stat Attack

• Liverpool are unbeaten in two previous home games against Atletico in all competitions (W1, D1), despite failing to keep a clean sheet on both occasions. 
• Atletico have gone on to progress in two of their last three Champions league ties in which they had won the first leg, only failing to do so after losing the second leg of this stage at Juventus to exit 3-2 on aggregate. 
• Liverpool have advanced from their last two European ties in which they lost the first leg away; (Villarreal – Europa Semi 2015/16), (Barcelona – Champions League Semi 2018/19).

 

Prediction

Liverpool might of lost the first leg without a shot on target but Anfield has been a fortress for the Reds, which should give them a nice confidence boost and especially off the back of Saturday’s high energy performance against Bournemouth. 

Replicate that without the defensive errors then it should be a comfortable comeback win, although Atletico will make life hard given their quality which is a worry given that Liverpool haven’t kept a clean sheet at home against the La Liga team. 

I therefore feel that defending will be key but given Anfield’s reputation, it’s hard not to bet against a home win with a clean sheet to secure progression to the last eight.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Atletico Madrid

Result: Liverpool 2-3 Atletico Madrid (AET) (Atletico Madrid win 4-2 on aggregate!!!)