Jurgen Klopp has set Liverpool’s chances of overturning a three-goal deficit against Real Madrid in their second leg of the Champions League last 16 round at one percent.
Klopp’s team were blown away by the record champions in the first leg as the tie ended 5-2 at Anfield three weeks ago.
Liverpool had gone into that game a resurgent side following their back to back wins against Everton and Newcastle in the domestic league. They even took a two-goal lead in that game, but Carlo Ancelotti’s men led by team captain Karim Benzema and Vini Junior handed the Merseyside side a footballing lesson.
The result was a confidence snatcher, and although they were able hike their spirits with a a 7-0 drubbing inflicted on their arch-rivals Manchester United, they will go into this one as underdogs.
The stats are also against Liverpool. The only time they have been able to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit in any European competition was against Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019- that game ending 4-0.
Klopp is aware of an uphill task that awaits his team at the Santiago Bernabeu, while facing the media, the Germany said:
“If there is only one per cent chance, I would like to give it a try. As difficult as it is, that is probably possible. Not likely but possible and for that we are here and then we will see where it will lead us to.
“We respect the competition and the opponent too much to not be looking forward to this game tomorrow. It is a tough task, as we are not in a great situation.
“In this room, I think 100 per cent of the people think we have no chance and if I am the only one who thinks we have a little chance I am fine.
“We are the complete outsiders tomorrow, 100 per cent. Real Madrid are 3-0 up and that is not what you want for Christmas but it’s football and we will try to give it a go.”
Liverpool will also be faced with the fact that no team in the history of the Champions League has ever lost the home leg of a knock-out game by three goals and recovered. And, only four have ever overturned a three-goal first-leg deficit.
They go into this game on the back of a 1-0 loss to relegation threatened Bournemouth that happened over the weekend.
