Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League tie with Real Madrid on Tuesday is a tricky one.
The two sides will face each other over two legs in the round-of-16 of the competition, after playing at the final just under a year ago.
Liverpool will go into the match off the back of consecutive Premier League wins, but Klopp is wary of the challenge ahead.
Klopp said: “They are different things, you cannot compare the history of Real Madrid with us from my time here. It is one of the best clubs in the world, with the most successes, the most wins.
“They have won this competition many times and are very experienced. Our recent story, we played the final in Paris, until this week I did not look at the images. It was torture. They played a good match and were able to win. We did not and they scored the decisive goal. So we did not.
“We saw the experience and maturity of it. In the difficult moment they do not lose confidence.
“This was seven months ago, the last time here we played in the empty training centre. It was a good match here, 0-0. We made them run and they had to work hard. They are the same club but different times.
“We have always been in finals and you always have to beat Madrid or Liverpool if you want to reach the final. This time we will see.”
On Real attacker Vinicius Jr and the controversy around the Brazilian, Klopp continued: “What are you doing on the field of play? I don’t know what he’s doing. Nothing has appeared to me. As far as I know he is a world-class player and should not be left alone for a moment. He could hurt you.
“That night as a young man I was not impressed by the surroundings and play. He was in the decisive moment. This makes him a legend at such a young age. I hope he doesn’t suffer from the hand of some idiots who have done something to say. I don’t get into these things.
“We always try not to get the ball to him. If we defend Vinicius, Benzema, Rodrygo or another will be left alone. Many can hurt you. This is when it comes to a world class team.”
