Liverpool are aiming for Champions League elimination but Trent Alexander-Arnold insists the Reds are not feeling any pressure ahead of the second leg against Real Madrid.
Liverpool are gearing up for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie at Real Madrid knowing they need another miracle in Europe.
The Reds have a long and illustrious history in the competition and lifted the trophy six times. To try to make it seven this season, Jurgen Klopp’s men need to overturn a three-goal gap against Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side won 5-2 at Anfield in the first leg, leaving Liverpool with a mountain to climb in Madrid. While the odds are against them, few can bet against the Reds with their history of incredible comebacks on the European stage.
Trent’s mind game
Trent Alexander-Arnold claims that Liverpool will not “feel any pressure” as they aim to turn things around in Madrid.
The Reds have overcome similar deficits before, when they fell three goals behind Barcelona in 2019 only to win 4-0 at Anfield and go through.
“We have to go and do something special in Spain, to be honest,” Alexander-Arnold told the Liverpool ECHO. “But, you know, it’s one of those where it’s similar to the Barcelona game where we go there without losing anything.
“They are a team with a three-goal lead and you know if we come out there and we don’t win then okay, we are three goals down, that’s how it is. So we don’t feel any pressure.”
Ferdinand’s ‘small club’ claim
Rio Ferdinand was quick to poke fun at Liverpool for their defeat at Bournemouth at lunchtime on Saturday, with the Reds losing 1-0.
The shock result came less than a week after Liverpool thrashed Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield.
Ferdinand suggested the way the Reds celebrated before being ousted by the Cherries is something you’ll see from a club lower than Liverpool.
“Liverpool fans please talk to me now. My friends on Whatsapp group, all Liverpool fans. Cherry Ride, freedom, seriously. It’s a small club mentality isn’t it, it screams small club,” he told Vibe with Five.
“Shouting and celebrating when they beat Man United the way they did and they beat us, hands up. The way Souness and Carragher celebrated, the way they tried to antagonize people.”
Liverpool without their captain
Liverpool will have to contend with several absent players for the game against the Spanish giants.
Club captain Jordan Henderson will miss the trip to Madrid through illness in a blow to Klopp’s midfield, which has undeniably been a problem area for the Reds this season.
Youngster Stefan Bajcetic has also been sidelined by his manager after experiencing what he described as a “stress response” to an adductor muscle problem.
Meanwhile, Luis Diaz is still not recovered enough from the serious knee injury he suffered in October last year to feature.