Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool became negative in defeating Real Madrid in the first leg

Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool became too passive during the Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid.

Liverpool took a two-goal lead thanks to the finish from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, but the away team equalized before the end of the first half with two goals from Vinicius Junior.

The Spanish giants then experienced riots in the second half, as two goals from Karim Benzema and another from Eder Militao sealed a 5-2 victory for Real Madrid.

Speaking after the match, Klopp believes his team lost momentum after Real’s first goal of the match.

He told BT Sport: “The start was great, in short, how we wanted to play. We caused problems everywhere, and our reading of the game, very strong start, 2-0 up.

“The first goal…we got a little negative, a little bit higher up the pitch. We didn’t chase them and we had to chase them because this is a team, when you get negative you get penalized. And we realized in that moment. Yeah, the second goal is clowning. It shouldn’t happen, it can. to happen, 2-2.

“In possession you have to keep the ball but in the second half especially we lost possession in strange moments. The first half we played really well in the half-spaces and in the second half it was the wrong players in the half-spaces: we played the ball there and they could have won it.

“It’s a big challenge to organize the defense because they leave Benzema and Vinicius on the pitch.”

The result means Liverpool will have to travel to the Santiago Bernabeu needing to win by three goals to force Liverpool into extra time. They will need four goals and cannot give up any hope of advancing to the quarter-finals.

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Although Klopp is aware of the challenge ahead of him, he insists his side will do their best in the second leg.

Klopp added: “We will go to Madrid and play a football match. If we have to score goals there, every counter-attack will be an opportunity for them. We have to learn from tonight.”

Liverpool next face a trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday in the English Premier League.

Go deeper

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(Photo: Getty Images)

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