Liverpool’s upcoming clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 understandably invites fear in some quarters after a painful 1-0 loss in Paris in May.
However, the Merseysiders will be up for the two-legged challenge, especially with a fully packed Anfield on hand this time around to help turn the odds in favor of Jurgen Klopp’s side.
If that’s not motivation enough, the team need only remember what Luka Modric said to Mo Salah at the Stade de France after Carlo Ancelotti’s men claimed their 14th title in the competition.
“I have a funny story,” the 21-year-old told the Cortes Podcast (via ESPN).
“Once the final is over, [Madrid players] lined up and Liverpool [players] passed Salah passed exhausted.
“Modric was in front of me, he greeted him [Salah] and I said “Ok, ok, try again next time”.
It is a series of condescending words that will have haunted our Egyptian king after expressing his intention to take revenge on the whites.
READ MORE: (Video) Liverpool take on Real Madrid in 2018 and 2022 Champions League Finals replay
We must remember that we were the superior team of the two on the pitch (although that will provide little comfort amid our struggles for form) and that a two-legged Champions League clash is a very different beast than one. out of the game
Madrid have every right to feel confident heading into the tie, although whether performance improves after the World Cup, not to mention the likelihood of injuries abating and potential additions in the January window, won’t be as clear cut as some. maybe they are waiting.
Salah will no doubt be itching to get his long-awaited revenge, though this time he’d do well to keep that desire to himself (along with the rest of the team) and burning brightly in the pit of his stomach.
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