Here are your Liverpool morning headlines for Thursday, March 16.
Jurgen Klopp finds player who he can build next Liverpool team around
Liverpool analysis from Ian Doyle after the 6-2 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League
Konate shows class
This tie, of course, was lost three weeks ago, with Liverpool having had plenty of time to analyse their historic capitulation at Anfield.
That Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara, who both started the Champions League final against Real Madrid last season, were missing was undoubtedly a contributory factor.
But the nagging suspicion the most telling absence was that of Ibrahima Konate became evident here, the Frenchman the most impressive outfield performer for the visitors.
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Where Joe Gomez had struggled during the first leg, so Konate prospered, decisive in his challenges and unperturbed by the physical threat of Karim Benzema. His reading of the game was impressive – shutting down a number of Real forward forays – as was his composure.
He also provided useful cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold in helping deal with Real Madrid dangerman Vinicius Jnr, who didn’t create quite possess the same threat as at Anfield even if he was the Spaniards’ most potent attacking weapon.
Of course, that the man of the match for the Reds was Alisson Becker highlights the pattern of a match in which the nagging sense was Real Madrid were always capable of stepping up a gear should it have been needed.
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
Jurgen Klopp names three games that will 'define' Liverpool season
Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool face a “massive task” to regain their place in the Champions League after they slipped out of the competition in disappointing fashion.
The Reds were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night to lose 6-2 on aggregate in their round of 16 tie.
They must now concentrate on finishing in the top four in the Premier League, with Klopp’s side six points adrift in sixth place with a game in hand.
With a free weekend followed by the international break, Liverpool are next in action at the beginning of April when they travel to champions Manchester City and Chelsea before entertaining runaway leaders Arsenal inside eight days.
And asked if the occasion in Spain proves why Liverpool need to secure qualification, Klopp said: “Absolutely. With the history we have in this competition, we start usually in the competition with the idea of winning it, to be honest. We reached a few times the final, we didn’t win the final often that’s true but we were there three times in the last few years.
“That’s why I really believe if you want to win the competition, you have to be outstanding. And we weren’t tonight and that’s fair why we go out.
“But it’s THE competition and we want to be a part of it every year, and that’s now a massive task for us. We all know that.”
READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
READ NEXT:
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