Liverpool have a rich history of turning the style in Europe to a disappointing home form, but the 2–0 first lead over RB Leipzig in the Champions League final-16 bout is uncertain. Jurgen Klopp’s staggering English champions will approach the other leg on Wednesday with a splash – knowing they won’t be in Anfield for the “home” match either. Liverpool’s dramatic feats in European competition over the years have been filled with color, noise and energy provided by pack fans at their famous old stadium.
In 2005, Rafael Benitez’s league was also contested against AC Milan for a thrilling win over Juventus and Chelsea before producing the biggest comeback in the final history of the Champions League in Istanbul.
Klopp’s first season in charge, in 2015/16, finished eighth in the league with Liverpool, but they trailed 3–1 to defeat Borussia Dortmund 4–3 in their Europa League second leg. The final eight tie their way to the finals.
Probably the biggest night Enfield has been seen against Barcelona in May 2019.
The Spanish giants were demolished 4–0 in the second leg of the Champions League semi-finals, with Manchester City making a significant setback in a Titanic title race with Klopp’s men.
Liverpool defeated Tottenham in the final to be crowned European champions for the sixth time.
fear Factor
But after a year of largely empty stadiums as a result of coronoviruses, Anfield’s fear factor has disappeared.
Klopp’s men were unbeaten in 68 Premier League games at home until January, but have now lost a club-record six in a row.
Liverpool’s “home” match against Leipzig will be played at Puskas Arena in Budapest as a result of the Kovid-19 travel restrictions, the same stadium that hosted the first leg.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, determines that the show should go ahead – fear of taking another sharp economic hit.
But the unusual circumstances of this year’s Champions League have robbed its sparkle of competition, forcing various teams to travel to neutral venues for home matches, while the public is closed in many countries.
Without their fans at Anfield, Liverpool’s Premier League title defense has collapsed.
A 1-0 defeat on Sunday saw Fulham drop them to eighth place in the table.
Injuries have played a major role in his dramatic decline, which has left him struggling to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carrager labeled the current team the “mindset midgets” – in sharp contrast to the “mindset monsters” previously used by Klopp to describe his team.
Klopp has pointed out the unavailability of captain Jordan Henderson and Virgil van Dzek due to injury.
“We definitely have a lot of players who are standing at the moment for a mentality not on the pitch,” said the Liverpool boss.
But questions are beginning to be raised that his ability to summon answers from his players is now being questioned.
“The next game is in a different competition, where we haven’t done too bad so far,” Jarman said. “If we can pass, which is not guaranteed, it can give confidence.”
Klopp lacks faith that his men can defend the 2–0 lead, leaving Leipzig bleeding.
Julian Nagelsmann’s men are flying past six straight Bundesliga wins, threatening to strangle Bayern Munich over German football.
Leipzig eliminated Tottenham at this stage of the competition last year and Manchester United at this stage of the season.
Promoted
Liverpool will have the biggest record in the Champions League under Skull Klopp.
But as clearly shown in this season, the fickle Reds are no longer a formidable force only a year ago.
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