‘We are not that confident,’ Liverpool boss Klopp admits

Liverpool defeated Atletico Madrid 3–2 in a thrilling Champions League encounter on Tuesday night to go 21 games unbeaten in all competitions. It is their longest run since 1989 but manager Jurgen Klopp admits they are not as confident as it might appear, adding that they all know their problems.

“We are not that confident, to be honest. We know our struggles, we know our problems but we try to ignore them very often,” Klopp said.

Liverpool went 2–0 up early in the first half, but Atletico Madrid fought back to draw level, thanks to a brace from Antoine Griezmann. Greizmann, however, got sent off in the second half for a high boot on Firmino before Mohamed Salah put the Reds in front again from the penalty spot. There was additional drama late in the game as Atletico were awarded a penalty but, upon VAR review, it got cancelled.

“[On Tuesday night] two confident teams played against each other and I’m pretty sure if you would measure the confidence of Diego Simeone and me, I’m 100 per cent sure he would win and for the right reasons. It was just a real fight – it was not about this team, this game.

“Nobody can win just because he is the better side, no chance. Both teams are real fighters and you saw that tonight. And in two weeks you will see it again. It’s not a game I’m looking forward to, you think, ‘OK, my God, in two weeks again.’

“They are a real difficult team to play but we will be there and then in our stadium having an outstanding atmosphere and hopefully we can use that.”

Liverpool will next face Manchester United at Old Trafford in a much-anticipated Premier League clash this Sunday.