Real Madrid News
Liverpool boss Klopp on facing Real Madrid: “Something special to look forward to”
Speaking to the club’s official website, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 draw against Real Madrid gives his team ‘something special’ to look forward to.
Liverpool have had a few run-ins against Real Madrid in recent years but they have often come out the second-best in those encounters.
After all, the Reds lost to Los Blancos in the finals of the 2017/18 season, then fell in the quarter-finals of the 2020/21 campaign, before once again falling to Carlo Ancelotti’s mentality monsters in the finals of the Champions League last term.
So, there will be revenge on their minds when they face off against the reigning European champions again this season. And Klopp has insisted that he is looking forward to the special tie against Real Madrid.
“The first thing that we can say about this draw is it is proper Champions League. This is a tie that speaks for itself and one that we should all be excited about,” the German tactician said.
“I know we have played Real Madrid in a couple of recent finals but it is not so often that our two clubs have met in a two-legged tie so now we can look forward to this happening.
“Real’s European record is the best around. We know this. But we also know that ours is not too bad. On top of this, we know that we have Anfield and everyone knows what this means,” he added.
Further calling the draw as very exciting, Klopp said: “It is a really good draw. A really exciting draw. The games themselves are still a few months away but it does not take a great deal of imagination to think what the atmosphere will be like at both games.
“There is a lot of football to be played before this, of course, so we will focus on each game as it comes but yes, this draw has given us something special to look forward to.”
Real Madrid face Liverpool in the first leg of the tie away at Anfield on February 21. The Merengues host the Reds back at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg on March 15.
Although Antonio Rudiger has had success since joining Real Madrid last summer, the club are in need of more depth and players that can form the backbone of the defensive unit in the years to come.
As part of their plans, Real Madrid are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol in the coming summer, reports 90 Min.
The outlet suggests Gvardiol will be one of the most wanted prospects in the market, with both Real Madrid and Manchester City eyeing a move for the Croatian international come the end of the season.
Formerly of Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol has enjoyed immense success since his move to the Bundesliga in 2021. He has impressed onlookers with his skill, organisation and discipline, which, coupled with his versatility, make him an appealing target for any European giant.
Gvardiol was also one of the top performers at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, helping Croatia finish third in the competition. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid among the clubs who have been keeping an eye on the defender for a while now.
However, signing Gvardiol will be a tricky task for Los Blancos. The player still has a long-term contract at Leipzig and could cost up to €85 million, as reported by 90 Min. Not to mention, the competition from Man City could be significant.
Real Madrid have no shortage of alternatives, though, with the club notably closely monitoring Portuguese defensive whizkid Antonio Silva, among others. So it will be interesting to see how the Spanish giants approach the market in this coming summer.
