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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE COME BACK DIFFICULT IN AN EMPTY ANFIELD – KLOPP

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists his side are not ‘comeback kings’ and turning around their Champions League fortunes will not be easy – especially at an empty Anfield.

A 3-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg immediately led to parallels with what they did to Barcelona in the 2019 semi-final second leg when they won 4-0 to turn around a 3-0 deficit from the Nou Camp.

That paved the way for them to win a sixth European Cup but it was achieved in an electric atmosphere at a packed Anfield which will go down as one of the greatest nights in the club’s history.

Next Wednesday they must do something similar, with the away goal helping slightly, but behind closed doors.

“Of course, it is completely different. Completely different,” said Klopp.

“If you want to have some emotional memories, then you watch the Barcelona game back and 80 per cent of this game was the atmosphere in the stadium, so yes, we have to do it without that.

“But it is not that I sit here and think, ‘Comebacks are our thing, we do it all the time’. We did from time to time but we always had supporters in the stadium.

“We don’t have that this time so I don’t know if we can do it, but I can promise you we will give it a proper try.

“It must be a really tricky task for Real Madrid at Anfield with or without supporters.

“This here (at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium inside Madrid’s club’s training ground) was really strange.

“It was really difficult, a different situation with the stadium, but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and that will be good for us.”

In a season of ups and downs, a week ago the most likely route back into the Champions League next season for Liverpool looked like coming from winning the competition itself.

However, a win over Arsenal and other results going their way has put the top four back within reach as they sit just three points adrift of West Ham, who occupy fourth place, with only one of their remaining eight games against a team (Manchester United) higher than ninth.

But Klopp said it was not realistic to just flip-flop between prioritising competitions.

“We cannot be picky with that, we have to go for everything,” he added.

“It’s not like we can now make the decision after that game there is no chance for us in the Champions League any more.

“In the Premier League, we cannot change it every week – we have to fight until the end and we will.

“This was a really good result for Real Madrid and it’s not that we have any kind of advantage, but with each day and each minute that will go until the next game the 3-1 will not be that good any more for Real Madrid and not that bad any more for us because there is, of course, a chance.

“But we have to play much better football (and) we cannot get it like tonight. For example, when we played against Barcelona and lost (the first leg) 3-0 we played a super game. That’s a massive difference.

“We can play much better (than against Madrid) and we can be much more uncomfortable to play against than we were and that’s what we have to make sure next week.

“Now we have to recover first and then concentrate on Aston Villa, which is for us a very important game, not only because of the results we had recently or in this season against them.”

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ARSENAL AND SCOTLAND’S KIERAN TIERNEY’S OUT FOR SIX WEEKS

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has refused to say whether Kieran Tierney will play again this season after he suffered knee ligament damage during Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Liverpool.

The Scotland full-back limped off before half-time and the club announced on Wednesday that he may be sidelined for up to six weeks.

But speaking ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie at home to Slavia Prague, Arteta would not be drawn on when he believes Tierney will return.

“We have to make sure first that he doesn’t need any surgery, which it doesn’t look like,” he said.

“The timeframe will be that (up to six weeks). It could have been worse because the action looks quite scary, but he looks a bit better and the damage was not that bad, so at the end of the day it is not the bad news we could have been waiting for.

“We are going to have to go day by day and see how Kieran is feeling, then when he gets close to playing time and how he is feeling we will make that decision.”

Asked if he thinks Tierney will be fit for Scotland at the rearranged European Championship finals, Arteta added: “It will depend how things evolve again in the next few weeks.”

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LOANEE CRAIG DAWSON TO JOIN WESTHAM ON A PERMANENT DEAL

West Ham have announced that their on-loan defender Craig Dawson will join the club on a permanent deal from Watford at the end of the season.

The 30-year-old moved to the Hammers on loan in October and has scored three goals in 15 Premier League appearances this term.

He will remain at London Stadium until the summer of 2023.

“Coming to West Ham has been a great move for myself, and it is a privilege to play for a club with such rooted traditions,” Dawson told West Ham’s website.

“The squad has a real togetherness, team spirit and great quality. I’m excited for what my future at the club may hold and the potential for what we as a club can go on to achieve.”

West Ham are in contention for Champions League qualification and sit fourth in the table following Monday’s 3-2 win at Wolves.

Dawson, who played for Rochdale, West Brom and Bolton earlier in his career, had to wait until late December for his Hammers debut but has since been ever-present in the top flight.

Manager David Moyes said: “Craig’s performances, attitude and the impact he’s had demonstrate why he deserves a permanent deal.

“He had to be patient but he’s come in and grabbed his opportunity with both hands. We are always looking to improve the squad and Craig joining us permanently certainly does that.”

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JURGEN KLOPP ACCEPTS DEFEAT BUT CRITICISES REFEREE OVER SADIO MANE CALL

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits his side got what they deserved in a 3-1 quarter-final first leg defeat to Real Madrid which leaves their Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

However, he took a bizarre swipe at referee Felix Brych for having what he claimed was a personal issue with Sadio Mane after the German official ruled the Senegal international had not been fouled by Lucas Vazquez on the edge of the penalty area as he ran through on goal.

Mohamed Salah’s 26th goal in 44 Champions League matches had given the Reds a vital away goal and brought the score back to 2-1 early in the second half after a dreadful first 45 minutes saw them concede to Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio.

But they conceded another to Vinicius to leave them with a tough task at a fan-less Anfield next week.

“First and foremost I don’t think we deserved to win tonight, we didn’t play good enough and that is my first concern,” said Klopp.

“Especially in the first half we didn’t play good enough football. We conceded the first goal, served the second on a plate (after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mistake), but that was not the real problem of the game.

“Of course conceding goals is a problem but it is not the problem. The second half we did better, we scored our goal which is the positive of the night and that’s how it is.

“Did we deserve more than the 3-1? I’m not sure.”

Klopp was baffled as to why Mane did not receive a free-kick and Vazquez a red card for the challenge late in the first half.

“The situation with Sadio, what the ref did tonight I have to say I don’t understand,” he added.

“For me that was something personal because he dealt with the situation with Sadio, which was a clear foul, like he was a diver or whatever.

“From that moment on whenever Sadio went down he didn’t get anything. That is not right. That is what I told him after the game, that I thought he was unfair with Sadio.
“That doesn’t change anything at all. He (Brych) didn’t lose the game. We were not good enough to get a better result, but in these moments you need just an ‘OK’ ref. That would have been enough.”

The pace of Vinicius was a problem for Liverpool all night and the Brazilian’s first double in a game was well deserved, according to coach Zinedine Zidane.

“I am happy for him because what he is doing and what all the guys are doing is a great job, especially from a defensive point of view,” said the Real boss.

“Maybe he was missing some goalscoring with the work he is contributing to the team so to score two goals is big to provide a lot of confidence and he deserves that.

“I don’t know if that was his best match but two goals in the quarter-finals is important for him and the team.

“I am happy because of the football. At the beginning of the second half we had a bit of difficulty but at the end of the day we are happy with 3-1 as it was a huge effort.

“We have to enjoy what we did today.”

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UCL: REAL MADRID DEFENDER TESTS POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AHEAD LIVERPOOL CLASH

Raphael Varane tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Real Madrid said, leaving the team facing a crisis in defence ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Liverpool.

Madrid are already without the injured Sergio Ramos, meaning Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao are the only fit central defenders left in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the game against Liverpool in the Spanish capital later on Tuesday.

“Real Madrid C. F. informs that our player Raphael Varane tested positive in the COVID-19 test he underwent this morning,” a club statement read.

Varane’s absence comes at the worst possible time for Madrid, with the Frenchman also expected to miss Saturday’s Clasico against Barcelona and the return leg against Liverpool at Anfield next week.

Varane has been a key part of Real Madrid’s upturn in form in recent weeks, which has seen the team go 11 games unbeaten and move to within three points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Barcelona are just a point behind Atletico, with the Clasico at Valdebebas this weekend set to mark a crucial point in the Spanish title race.

Madrid have had six positive cases of COVID-19 this season, Varane following Militao, Eden Hazard, Casemiro, Luka Jovic and Nacho in catching the virus.

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AHEAD UCL QUARTER FINAL CLASH: ZINEDINE ZIDANE PRAISES LIVERPOOL AS A COMPLETE TEAM

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has praised Liverpool as “a complete team” ahead of their Champions League quarterfinal first leg but said he believes critics were too hasty to write off Madrid’s chances of winning silverware this year.

Both teams have struggled for consistency at times this season, but Real Madrid are now just three points behind leaders Atletico Madrid in La Liga, while Liverpool are two points off the Premier League top four.

“They’re a complete team,” Zidane said at a news conference on Monday. “Some people will mention the three forwards, and it’s true that they’re really good, but I think they’re a strong, solid unit. I’d rather focus on the team. After that, yes, the three forwards are really efficient. We’ll have to be alert.”

Zidane’s job looked to be under threat earlier in the campaign, with Madrid on the brink of being knocked out of the Champions League group stage for the first time.

The team lost their opening European fixture 3-2 at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, then drew 2-2 with Borussia Monchengladbach, before back-to-back wins over Inter Milan were followed by another defeat 2-0 to Shakhtar.

There was more pressure on Zidane in January, when Madrid were knocked out of the Spanish Supercopa by Athletic Bilbao and the Copa del Rey by third-tier Alcoyano, and lost at home to Levante in La Liga.

“Yes, I think so,” Zidane said, when asked if his team had been written off prematurely. “I believe in my team and I have confidence in them, I know what they can do. But we can’t change that… The good thing with this team, this club’s history, is that we never give up on things. Where there’s life, there’s hope, and we’re alive in two competitions.”

Real Madrid and Liverpool last met in the 2018 Champions League final in Kiev, when a Gareth Bale brace gave Madrid a 3-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Since then, Liverpool have gone on to win the competition in Madrid in 2019 and ended a 30-year wait for the Premier League title a year later.

“Since the final we played, they’ve won the Champions League, and we lost Cristiano [Ronaldo],” defender Nacho Fernandez said. “But I don’t think there’s much difference between us. We’re competitive, we’ve won a lot of trophies, we’re in great form and we have a great squad.”

Zidane wouldn’t confirm if Eden Hazard would be available for Tuesday’s match at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium, after the forward took part in training on Monday.

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that his side were not looking to see revenge for the 2018 final defeat

“We are not on a revenge tour here,” he told a news conference on Monday. “I don’t believe too much in revenge, but it would be nice to get through.

“Madrid are outstanding — sometimes you meet opponents again. It is nothing to do with the Premier League season either.

“I cannot get that feeling back, that anger or whatever, so I don’t even try. If we are better than Real Madrid or score more goals, then we can go to the next round.

“We are still in the fight for the Champions League spots. We have to chase the teams ahead of us, we have to chase Real Madrid tomorrow, who are in a really good moment.

“Very experienced. If someone knows how to win the Champions League, it is Real Madrid.”

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DEMBELE STRIKES LATE AS BARCELONA EDGE REAL VALLADOLID TO CUT ATLETICO LEAD TO ONE POINT

Ousmane Dembele scored late to hand Barcelona all three points against Real Valladolid at the Camp Nou on Monday to cut Atletico Madrid’s La Liga lead to one.

The hosts struggled to create many chances in the first half and were denied shortly before the break when Valladolid keeper Jordi Masip went down and to his right to steer a well-hit Pedri shot off the post.

Lionel Messi fired just wide of the post on 70 minutes as Valladolid continued to frustrate Barcelona with time running out for Ronald Koeman’s side as they looked to pick up a crucial three points in the title race.

Barca were given the upper hand for the last 10 minutes of the match when Vallodild’s Oscar Plano was sent off with a straight red following his foul from behind on Dembele.

With time running out, Dembele pounced on a loose ball at the far post and hit a low volley past Plano to move his side up to 65 points from 29 games, one behind Atleti with nine games left to play in the season.

“This shows how difficult this league is and that we’ll have to really fight in every game to win it,” said Barca defender Clement Lenglet.

“We faced a great side who played out of their skin, it was a really difficult game for us but an important victory. This run is all down to hard work, things weren’t clicking for us earlier in the season but now they are.”

Valladolid keeper Masip said his side left the Camp Nou “with a bittersweet taste,” feeling pleased with their performance but aggrieved at not earning a point, especially after having Plano sent off.

“It’s a real shame that all that hard work was thrown away because of a one-off incident,” Masip said.

Real Madrid, who are in third place in La Liga on 63 points, host Barcelona in another edition of the Clasico on April 10 in a crunch match for both team’s title hopes.

“The team is capable of winning the games [left],” Koeman said. “But today has also shown you have to be at your best, you have to be clinical, you have to keep the team fresh, we lacked freshness today, maybe because of the international break. If we return to how we were before, we’re capable of winning our games.”

Koeman also weighed in on the future of match-winner Dembele, who has shown good form this season after a frustrating, injury-hit start to life at the Camp Nou since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2017.

“Dembele’s an important player,” said Koeman. “He’s shown that today with his performance and above all with the goal that gave us three points.

“Ousmane’s development this season has been really good. Physically he’s improved a lot, I think that’s been the key to his quality and consistency to play so many games. So yes, if it’s up to me, I would like him to stay with us.”

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BOLASIE SCORES FIRST MIDDLESBROUGH GOAL IN WATFORD DRAW

Watford played out a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough in Monday’s English Championship duel, with Ismaila Sarr and Yannick Bolasie both finding the net.

Boasting victories in their last six encounters, the Hornets travelled to the Riverside Stadium with the aspiration of extending their winning streak. Albeit, the hosts had another idea in the keenly contested affair.

After a cagey opening, Middlesbrough suffered a slight setback following the substitution of injured Sam Morsy.

The Egyptian midfielder was forced off the pitch on the half-hour mark following a tackle from Nathaniel Chalobah. He was subsequently replaced by Hayden Coulson.

However, it was Xisco Munoz’s side who opened the scoring in the 32nd minute after deflecting Phillip Zinkernagel’s shot past goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli.

That deficit woke Neil Warnock’s men from their slumber as the game headed towards the break. Despite a series of corner kicks and attacking forays, Watford goalie Daniel Bachmann put up a good showing to stop efforts from Paddy McNair, Neeskens Kebano, and Djed Spence.

The second half produced a big spark as both clubs raised the standard of their play to seal all points at stake, but there were no goals to show for it.

Nonetheless, it was Warnock’s men who equalised with 12 minutes left on the clock. Patrick McNair delivered a brilliant free-kick in the box and Bolasie got down well to score a superb header – his first strike for the club since joining them on loan from Everton on January 28, 2021.

Even at the draw, manager Munoz expressed his disappointment with the result secured against the Boro.

“Right now, I’m only thinking about what we can work on better for the next game,” he told the club website.

“Our team has very good numbers and we need to keep going, play with the same ambition as we have been doing in the next games.

“I’ve said before that we will sometimes have difficult moments and it isn’t easy. When we win, I always say we can enjoy for 20 minutes and then think about the next game.

“Today I’m disappointed, and after I’ll work for the next game. We’re always working for what we can improve because we know we have important games ahead.”

Nigeria international William Troost-Ekong was in action for Watford from start to finish, while his compatriot Isaac Success was introduced for Ken Sama in the 83rd minute.

With this result, the Hornets occupy the second spot in the log after amassing 79 points from 40 outings – five points behind leaders Norwich who face Huddersfield Town on April 6.

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SUB BATSHUAYI HELP PALACE EARN A POINT AT EVERTON

Michy Batshuayi scored two minutes after coming on as a substitute as Crystal Palace earned a 1-1 draw at Everton.

The Belgian striker was teed up by Jeffrey Schlupp in the 86th minute to cancel out a goal by James Rodriguez on his return to the home side’s starting line-up

Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, saving from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in the first half.

Richarlison then spurned two good chances to put Everton in front before the break, but Rodriguez did make the breakthrough on 56 minutes as his low shot from Seamus Coleman’s cutback beat Guaita at his near post.

Richarlison was twice denied by Palace’s goalkeeper as Everton failed to add a second, and the visitors capitalised as Batshuayi claimed his second goal of the campaign.

Everton remain eighth with 47 points, four adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.

Palace are 12th on 38 points.

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JESSE LINGARD STARS AS WESTHAM EDGE WOLVES TO GO FOURTH

Jesse Lingard scored a superb solo goal and assisted another as West Ham United won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers to climb into the top four.

After Michail Antonio had a shot tipped on to the post by Rui Patricio, Wolves’ goalkeeper could do nothing as Lingard ran from his own half and gave West Ham a sixth-minute lead.

Pablo Fornals doubled West Ham’s advantage on 14 minutes as he converted a cutback by Arthur Masuaku, who was played in by a superb piece of skill from Lingard.

Jarrod Bowen added a third in the 38th minute, rifling a shot beyond Patricio after Lingard’s fine run and pass.

Wolves pulled a goal back just before the break when Leander Dendoncker headed in following a brilliant run and cross from Adama Traore.

On 68 minutes, Fabio Silva drilled in Wolves’ second from Pedro Neto’s pass to set up a tense finale.

Neto blasted over as West Ham held on to avoid losing a three-goal lead for the second match in a row. They climb above Chelsea into fourth on 52 points.

Wolves drop to 14th on 35 points.