Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has written an open letter in support of the Premier League's decision to postpone fixtures for the time being. 

Per an official statement, the league's shareholders unanimously decided to suspend games "with the intention of returning on April 4, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time."

Klopp wrote that he, along with Liverpool, supports the decision:

"I've said before that football always seems the most important of the least important things. Today, football and football matches really aren't important at all.

"Of course, we don't want to play in front of an empty stadium and we don't want games or competitions suspended, but if doing so helps one individual stay healthy - just one - we do it no questions asked.

"If it's a choice between football and the good of the wider society, it's no contest. Really, it isn't.

"Today's decision and announcement is being implemented with the motive of keeping people safe. Because of that we support it completely. We have seen members of teams we compete against become ill. This virus has shown that being involved in football offers no immunity. To our rival clubs and individuals who are affected and to those who later will become so, you are in our thoughts and prayers."

Prior to the suspension of fixtures, Arsenal announced manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for the coronavirus on March 12. Club personnel who had been in close contact with him were ordered to self-isolate, including the first-team squad.

Following Arteta's diagnosis, the Premier League said it would "convene an emergency club meeting" Friday to determine the next course of action. 

There have already been games impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Manchester City's game against Arsenal, scheduled for March 11, was postponed in the wake of Arsenal players being in close contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also tested positive for the virus. The Gunners played Marinakis' Olympiacos twice in the Europa League in late February.

A total of 10 fixtures were on the schedule for this weekend, including seven on Saturday. 

There are still 10 weeks remaining on the Premier League schedule, including the games to be played this weekend. 

Liverpool currently have a commanding lead in the standings with 82 points, 25 points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he's unsure why Atletico Madrid don't play what he deems to be "proper football." 

The Reds were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League by Atletico on Wednesday. Having gone 2-0 up on the night in extra time, Liverpool caved in after an error from goalkeeper Adrian; they were eventually beaten 3-2 at Anfield and 4-2 on aggregate in the last-16 tie.

Over the course of the two legs, Atletico sat deep and defended for long spells against the Premier League leaders. Speaking to BT Sport after Wednesday's encounter, Klopp was critical of the brand of the Madrid outfit's brand of football (h/t Goal):

"I am completely happy with the performance. It's so difficult to play a side like this. I don't understand, with the quality they have, the football they play. They could play proper football, but they stand deep and have counter-attacks.

"We accept it of course, but it doesn't feel right tonight. I realise I am a really bad loser, especially when the boys put such an effort in against world-class players on the other side who defend with two rows of four.

"We know in the last two years we had some lucky moments in the Champions League, you have to to reach two finals, but today it was everything was against us in the decisive moments."

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was asked about Klopp's comments following the game:

Klopp's "proper football" comments put to Simeone. Asked how he plays:

"To win. With all our soul."

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) March 11, 2020

Georginio Wijnaldum put Liverpool ahead on the night, giving them a 1-0 lead after 90 minutes and taking the tie into extra time.

Roberto Firmino's goal then gave Liverpool the aggregate lead in the contest, only for Marcos Llorente's brace to stun Anfield. Alvaro Morata added the gloss to the scoreline in the dying embers of the game, capping off a slick counter-attack:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1237869572209782786

Under Simeone's tutelage, Atletico have long had a reputation for being defensive. While the style of play may not be palatable for all, the coach has steered Madrid to a La Liga title, UEFA Europa League success and two Champions League finals.

Against Liverpool, they rode their luck at times, with goalkeeper Jan Oblak springing into action on numerous occasions to keep out efforts from those in red. Some have suggested the Premier League side were extremely unfortunate:

Please spare me all this inevitable Simeone masterclass nonsense. There’s nothing genius about putting 11 top class footballers behind the ball. Liverpool absolutely pumped them throughout.

— Michael Owen (@themichaelowen) March 12, 2020

Fox Soccer summed up what a huge achievement it was for Simeone and his players to beat Liverpool:

Diego Simeone just handed Liverpool their:

❌ 1st loss at Anfield in 43 games
❌ 1st European defeat at Anfield since 2014
❌ 1st European defeat in a two-legged tie since 2015 pic.twitter.com/avgbnMu7NL

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 11, 2020

Atletico have had a challenging campaign in the main, with the team struggling to produce consistent performances in La Liga following the departures of Diego Godin, Rodrigo and Antoine Griezmann last summer.

While Klopp will be pleased with the way his team played, he will be disappointed at how wasteful the Reds were when opportunities arose. Against an outfit like Atletico, they need to be seized.

In Steven Gerrard's 2015 autobiography, My Story, the former Liverpool captain gives only fleeting thought to the manager he might one day become.

In one paragraph in the book's fifth chapter, in which he compares the different approaches to man management taken by former Liverpool managers Rafael Benitez and Brendan Rodgers, Gerrard briefly sketches a portrait of the kind of boss he would want to be. "I'd try to fuse the best of Rafa's tactical thinking with Brendan's skill as a man manager," he writes.

Later on, he states that he cannot see himself becoming "a coach who puts up the cones, takes sessions, sets up possessions, shooting practice and all the routine day-to-day drills." While he has committed to taking his coaching badges, he concedes, "I still really don't know if it's the road I will follow."

Fast-forward four-and-a-half years, and those uncertain flickerings have morphed into one of the most intriguing nascent managerial careers in European football. Gerrard is 21 months into his tenure as Rangers manager and has already had a major impact on the club's fortunes, guiding his team into this season's Europa League knockout phase and closing the gap on reigning Scottish champions Celtic to its narrowest point since the Ibrox outfit went into administration in 2012.

Gerrard remains a rookie manager, and Rangers' recent slump in form has doused much of the early-season optimism felt by the club's supporters, but with each positive result, the prospect that he takes over at Liverpool one day becomes a little more credible. Gerrard has long held ambitions to manage Liverpool, and Jurgen Klopp, the current incumbent of the Anfield dugout, has publicly identified the former England captain as his preferred successor.

The fact that both men are under contract at their respective clubs until 2024 only adds to the sense that it is Gerrard's destiny to take up the reins from Klopp. But with the 39-year-old's managerial career still in its infancy, just what kind of manager is he, and does anything suggest he might have what it takes to succeed the man who has led Liverpool back to the pinnacle of the sport?

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Tactics: Well-drilled but one-dimensional?

Unsurprisingly, Gerrard leaned heavily on his Liverpool connections when assembling his Ibrox backroom staff, appointing his old midfield partner Gary McAllister as his assistant, bringing in former Anfield physiotherapist Jordan Milsom as head of performance and installing former Liverpool academy coach Tom Culshaw as technical coach.

His most significant recruitment decision was the appointment of Michael Beale, another Liverpool academy alumnus, as first-team coach. Beale, who started his coaching career at Chelsea and also had a stint in Brazil with Sao Paulo, takes the lead on the training pitches at Rangers' Milngavie base, six miles north-west of central Glasgow, while Gerrard assumes responsibility for overall strategy.

There is a strong Liverpool feel about Rangers' tactics, too. Like Klopp's side, Gerrard's Rangers play with attacking full-backs, a functional midfield three and a narrow attacking trio. Right-back James Tavernier, the captain, and left-back Borna Barisic provide most of the team's width, with one of the two No. 8s—typically two from Ryan Jack, Glen Kamara and Scott Arfield—shuttling across to protect the space that they vacate when they go forward.

The chief novelty of Rangers' system is that rather than two wingers, the two players who play in support of lone striker Alfredo Morelos—generally two from Ryan Kent, Joe Aribo and January signing Ianis Hagi—tuck in as twin No. 10s, meaning that the team's shape is usually referred to as a 4-3-2-1 or Christmas tree formation.

Compact, well-oiled and aggressive, Gerrard's Rangers have enjoyed particular success in European competition. The season before his appointment, the club reached a nadir when they were knocked out in the Europa League qualifying rounds by Luxembourgish part-timers Progres Niederkorn. But they battled through four qualifying ties to reach the group phase in Gerrard's first season, and this term they have made it all the way from the first qualifying round to the last 16, where they face Bundesliga stalwarts Bayer Leverkusen (Update: They lost the first leg 3-1). Celtic have not progressed this far in European competition since 2013.

In domestic football, where Rangers routinely encounter super-motivated opponents who defend deep and in numbers, the formula has not always proved as effective. A recent return of 11 points from a possible 24 in the Scottish Premiership has highlighted the absence of an effective plan B.

"The European setup suits them because [opposing] teams take more risks, which gives Rangers' forward players space to play in," former Rangers left-back Steven Smith tells Bleacher Report. "They're very good on the counter-attack as well. But sometimes at Rangers, when you're expected to win every game and dictate the tempo, teams sit in and make it really, really difficult. They've struggled against teams that sit in a low block."

        

Handling the media: Shooting from the hip

Having sat through more press conferences than he probably cares to remember during his glittering 18-year playing career, one area where Gerrard was never going to struggle was in his dealings with the media.

"There will be few people, even in the Premier League, that have the comfort that he has sitting down to a press conference and the ability to bat away questions," says Daily Record football journalist Jonny McFarlane. "This is a guy that's been there and done it with Liverpool and England so many times, so the media element is just something that he glides through."

A striking feature of Gerrard's media appearances since he arrived at Rangers has been his honesty. He has been publicly critical of his team on numerous occasions when he has been disappointed by their performances, and it has prompted observations that he is still coming to terms with the transition from captain to coach.

Gerrard has himself acknowledged that he needs to work on disguising his emotions, telling former Liverpool team-mate Danny Murphy in a recent interview for the Daily Mail: "I need to get better at that."

But Smith, who made over 100 appearances for Rangers across two spells, believes Gerrard's straight-talking approach represents a key aspect of the winning environment he is trying to cultivate at the club.

"I've not heard him mention one player's name—it's always been about the team," Smith says. "He's always taken responsibility for results, and he's very open and very honest.

"There was a game recently against Kilmarnock where the refereeing decisions were really, really poor and they lost the game [2-1]. But he never blamed the referee. He's trying to build a 'no excuse' culture. If the pitches are poor, which they generally are at this time of year in Scotland, or they're playing on AstroTurf, he never mentions it. It's always about no excuses."

         

Man management: Tough love

In his drive to raise standards at Ibrox, Gerrard has necessarily been demanding towards his players, but there is a softer side to his management as well.

"Everything is measured and there is a lot of positivity, building players, building levels—he's working on it all the time," former Rangers centre-back Gareth McAuley, who played under Gerrard last season, told BBC Sport in January. "People might think he's a shouter or a bawler or up and at them, but he's not. He's very constructive in what he does."

As former Rangers loanee Joe Worrall told the Daily Record last season: "He is firm, but gets his arm around you when you need a cuddle."

Perhaps the biggest test of Gerrard's man-management skills has been provided by mercurial centre-forward Morelos, whose ability to sniff out goals is matched only by his ability to sniff out trouble.

Having stood by Morelos throughout last season, Gerrard's patience finally snapped when the Colombian received his fifth red card of the campaign (one of which was subsequently rescinded) against Celtic last April, for which he was fined a week's wages.

Morelos started the current campaign like a train, scoring 28 goals in his first 35 games, but was sent off twice in three matches at the end of December and has found the net only once in nine appearances since the winter break. Gerrard dropped Morelos after he returned late from a recent trip to Colombia, only to see his side crash to defeat against Hearts in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals in the 23-year-old's absence.

In much the same way that a succession of Liverpool managers grappled with Luis Suarez during the Uruguayan's three-and-a-half-year stint at Anfield, Gerrard is still learning how best to handle his own wayward South American striker.

         

Fan relations: Harnessing the Ibrox roar

Rangers were at a low ebb when Gerrard joined. Following their return to the Scottish Premiership in 2016, they had twice finished third and were on a run of 11 games without victory against eternal foes Celtic, which included defeats by scores of 5-1 (twice), 4-0 and 5-0.

Last season, Rangers recorded their first win over Celtic since August 2016, while in the most recent Old Firm derby in December, they prevailed at Celtic Park for the first time in over eight years. Recent results may have harpooned Rangers' hopes of thwarting Celtic's quest for a record-equalling ninth successive Scottish title, but the Light Blues are on course for a second straight second-place finish, and at the very least, Gerrard has got them competing on an equal footing.

"He gave the whole place a jolt," says Rangers fan and blogger Jamie Currie. "He's given the fans a bit of pride back in their team. Before he walked in the door, every time they were playing Celtic, you were a bit fearful. Now you've got the belief that Rangers will turn up and match Celtic all the way."

Gerrard's emotional reaction after Rangers' win at Parkhead in December, which saw him scream into a pitch-side television camera, drew mockery from the green half of Glasgow, with former Celtic striker Chris Sutton accusing him of "celebrating like he'd won the league." But for Rangers fans, it was an indication that the manager understood the significance of the moment.

"I'll challenge any Rangers fan that says they weren't celebrating like that when the final whistle went in December," says Ibrox season ticket-holder James Black. "It's clear that Gerrard has bought into the whole passion of the club and the fanbase. I think he probably sees certain similarities between Rangers and Liverpool, both as cities, populations and fanbases. With the magnitude of that win, he was always going to celebrate that way."

         

Transfers: Pulling power

In conjunction with Mark Allen and Ross Wilson, the two sporting directors with whom he has worked since taking charge in June 2018, Gerrard has presided over a significant overhaul of Rangers' playing staff, with no fewer than 31 new players arriving at the club in a combination of permanent transfers and loan moves.

Here again, his Liverpool links have served a purpose. Kent and Jon Flanagan have both swapped Anfield for Ibrox on a permanent basis (the former for an initial transfer fee of £6.5 million that was the second-highest in Rangers' history), while Sheyi Ojo is currently on a season-long loan and Ovie Ejaria spent time on loan at the club last season. Gerrard's name has also proved a pull for players without Liverpool connections, such as January 2019 signing Jermain Defoe.

Not all of the signings since Gerrard arrived have been successful—for every Steven Davis (good) an Umar Sadiq (bad)—and Rangers cannot yet compete with Celtic when it comes to strength in depth, but those who follow the club closely believe the manager has significantly increased the level of quality in the squad.

"If you look at where Rangers are now compared to where they were when he took over, there is absolutely no doubt that he has added a lot of value to that team," says McFarlane. "If Steven Gerrard were to leave tomorrow, Rangers could sell James Tavernier, Borna Barisic, Connor Goldson, Nikola Katic, Ryan Kent, Alfredo Morelos, Scott Arfield, Ryan Jack. ... Some of these players were there when he took over, but he's added to their value significantly through what the team has achieved while he's been there."

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Quite apart from all that he still hopes to achieve at Rangers, Gerrard has been realistic enough to admit that he still needs time to prove himself before he can be considered a serious contender to succeed Klopp, telling the Mail: "They aren't going to pick me if I am only the 20th-best candidate."

But if it is too early to say with certainty that he should be the man to eventually take over from Klopp, there are equally few reasons to say that he should not be.

"It's always going to be on his mind because of who he is and where he grew up and all he did for the football club," says Smith. "I think it's inevitable that he will be the Liverpool manager one day. But hopefully that's after a successful period at Rangers."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has said he does not "blame" goalkeeper Adrian for the team's UEFA Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. 

The European champions were knocked out of the competition in dramatic fashion at Anfield, with Atletico winning 3-2 after extra time and 4-2 on aggregate.

The Reds were in control of the tie after taking a 2-0 lead on the night, only for Adrian's error to allow Marcos Llorente to give the La Liga outfit a route back into the match. The goalkeeper miskicked a routine clearance back to Atletico and then slipped when trying to save Llorente's long-range effort.

Speaking after the game, Klopp said Adrian made a poor choice but was adamant that he should not be levelled with the blame for the team's Champions League exit:

"Everyone who saw the game knows that it could have been different. I loved the first 90 minutes. Our only mistake was we scored our second goal too late. I loved the football we played. We caused them so many problems.

"It was really exceptional. … The pass [from Adrian] was not. I love the boy, but that is the wrong decision. It was then a bit easy to finish the situation off for them. We will not blame. He is a man, and he knows he made a mistake. We will not judge him."

Liverpool were 1-0 winners in normal time thanks to Georginio Wijnaldum's header. Roberto Firmino then put them ahead on aggregate in extra time, only for Atletico to mount an impressive fightback; Llorente scored twice from range, and Alvaro Morata wrapped the tie up late on:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1237862438675959809

Adrian started the game because of an injury to Liverpool's first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson Becker. The Reds have suffered because of poor goalkeeping in the Champions League in recent years:

4 - Since the start of the 2017-18 campaign, Liverpool's goalkeepers have made more errors leading to goals in the Champions League than any other team's keepers in this period (4 - Adrian x1 + Karius x3). Calamity. pic.twitter.com/OteHSxNpFt

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 11, 2020

In the early weeks of the season, Adrian did a fine job deputising for Alisson when he was injured, with his performance in the Super Cup win over Chelsea perhaps the most memorable.

However, this spell in the side has been challenging. In the FA Cup loss to Chelsea, his fumbled attempt to stop Willian's shot allowed the Blues to take the lead, and on Wednesday, he again lost concentration at a vital time in the match.

Playing in a game of such magnitude is a new experience for Adrian:

He has never been close to playing at Champions League level, let alone for the defending champions - a team which dominates possession and plays a very high line. He doesn't expect to play very often, fate has decided he played in one of Liverpool's most crucial games.

— The Tactical Times (@Tactical_Times) March 11, 2020

Alisson has proved himself as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet, and there's every chance the result of the tie would have been different if he was fit for the game. The Brazilian is set for more time on the sidelines though, as it's been confirmed he will miss Monday's Merseyside derby with Everton.

It's been a disappointing month for the Reds, with eliminations in both the FA Cup and the Champions League. The campaign will still be one to remember for them, though, with just two wins required for them to win the Premier League title.

Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Jadon Sancho would have to sit on the bench if he moved to the Reds in the summer.

Sancho is hot property at the moment, and as the transfer window edges closer into view, the Borussia Dortmund starlet is being subject to intensifying speculation regarding his future.

Liverpool are one of a number of high-profile teams to be linked with the England international. However, Barnes doesn't think the winger would be able to dislodge Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino from the starting XI at Anfield, per BonusCodeBets (h/t James Westwood of Goal):

"If Jadon Sancho is willing to come to Liverpool and not play every week and sit on the bench, then absolutely he should come to Liverpool. But I always tell young players to be careful and play at a high level for four-five years before moving to a bigger club.

" ... I would advise Jadon Sancho to develop more and show that level of consistency before he is going to be put under a lot of pressure by being a £100 million player playing at one of the biggest clubs in the world."

Barnes also spoke about RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who has recently been linked with a move to Liverpool, saying the forward "would be good competition for Mane or Salah."

According to Adrian Kajumba and Dominic King of the Daily Mail, Liverpool have already been in discussions with Dortmund regarding Sancho, with the Bundesliga side said to value the England sensation at around £100 million.

Given the numbers the teenager is consistently posting, it's not a shock that Dortmund want so much. Per OptaFranz, the winger is enjoying an incredible season from a creative perspective:

15 - Jadon Sancho has now assisted 15 goals in the Bundesliga this season, a new personal record. The only other @BlackYellow player to assist as many goals in a single #Bundesliga season was Henrikh Mkhitaryan 2015/16 (15). Artist. #BMGBVB pic.twitter.com/CiAWQ3bvAB

— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) March 7, 2020

BT Sport Football looked at some of the 19-year-old's best moments of the 2019-20 campaign so far:

The first player EVER to reach 25 Bundesliga goals at the age of 19 🤩

It's time for Sancho to shine in the Champions League! ✨ pic.twitter.com/M7cpznjnMo

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2020

Liverpool's attacking trio operate with fluidity, speed and intensity, all traits that would suit Sancho. Breaking into that exceptional triumvirate would undoubtedly be a challenge for any potential new signing, though.

After all, the position Sancho operates in, on the right flank, is occupied by Mohamed Salah at Liverpool typically. The Egyptian has established himself as one of the best players on the planet during his time on Merseyside and has hit top form in recent weeks.

B/R Football put his goalscoring into context:

Mo Salah has now scored more Premier League goals for Liverpool than Luis Suarez, in fewer games 🇪🇬👑 pic.twitter.com/cOUwcsnPsh

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 7, 2020

Sancho would surely get plenty of minutes, though, especially with Liverpool involved in so many competitions. At times, manager Jurgen Klopp has fielded either Xherdan Shaqiri or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with the illustrious trio, meaning the England international could even make up part of a quartet.

For Sancho, the next step in his career will be a crucial one, as he'll be under more scrutiny and increased pressure after a big-money move. Jurgen Klopp's reputation for improving players and the brand of football the Reds play will make them an attractive option.  

Virgil van Dijk wants Liverpool to show "a lot of passion and hard work" when they host Atletico Madrid on Wednesday hoping to reverse a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League last 16. 

Jurgen Klopp's defending European champions lost 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano in late February, their first defeat across all competitions in three months.

Van Dijk, 28, called Atletico "a fantastic side," and he called on Liverpool to rise to the occasion, per Sky Sports:

"We couldn't give any chances away against Barcelona, either. We will go with the same mindset as always. Hopefully win the game and play good football, but first and foremost, we have to deliver a lot of passion and hard work.

"We have to get everyone going from the first second to the last. Things can happen and they could be the better team but we all want to show why we want to go through with our qualities and deserve to be in the next round.

"Atletico will be tough, they are a fantastic side. They are one of the best in how they play. They are aggressive, and they have fantastic players who can hurt you on the break too."

The Reds defender referred back to Liverpool's semi-final comeback win at home to Barcelona last season when they lost 3-0 at the Camp Nou before pulling off a historic upset to win 4-3 on aggregate.

Klopp's side went on to beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in the final at Atletico's home ground and seal their first European title since 2005.

Saul Niguez scored the only goal at the Wanda Metropolitano to give Los Rojiblancos a first-leg advantage over Liverpool last month (U.S. viewers only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1229860195486109699

Klopp was defiant in his message following that defeat—the first of three losses in the space of four games for Liverpool—and hinted at the tough test awaiting Diego Simeone's men when they visit Anfield:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1229893541066833921

Van Dijk added: "It is what it is. We have to deal with that. We have to be grown men about it, take it on the chin and show the world why we deserve to be where we are and why we deserve to still be in the Champions League."

The Merseysiders retain an imperious home record despite the recent drop in form. They're unbeaten in 42 home games—the last time they lost at Anfield was a 2-1 Carabao Cup defeat to Chelsea in September 2018—and Saturday's 2-1 victory over Bournemouth set a new English top-flight record of 22 straight home wins.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker will miss the second leg due to injury, although Klopp confirmed captain Jordan Henderson will be back to play some role on Wednesday, per Goal's Jack Sear:

Klopp says Henderson is fit to face Atletico. Remains to be seen whether he will be in the first XI or start on the bench. Klopp has made a decision but won't be drawn.

Alisson won't be ready for Everton next Monday.

— Jack Sear (@JackSear) March 10, 2020

Liverpool dominated with almost 75 per cent of the possession in Madrid but somehow failed to record a shot on target, per WhoScored.com, though Atleti may struggle to implement the same strategy at Anfield.

The Mirror's David Maddock provided comment from Klopp regarding what is required from his side if they're to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for a third consecutive season:

Jurgen Klopp reveals the simple gameplan against Atletico:

"We have to keep them busy in areas they don't want to be busy." #LFC

— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) March 10, 2020

Liverpool know they must win in order to extend their European campaign—and by at least two goals to advance after 90 minutes—while keeping a clean sheet will be a priority after they failed to score away.

Liverpool have been given a big boost ahead of Wednesday's UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid after manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed captain Jordan Henderson will be fit. 

The midfielder has missed Liverpool's last four matches, two of which they have lost, due to a hamstring injury.

Liverpool host Atletico at Anfield on Wednesday needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg to keep their hopes alive of successfully defending their Champions Legaue title.

Goalkeeper Alisson will still be absent after missing Saturday's win against Bournemouth with a hip injury, but Klopp confirmed Henderson is available again:

Klopp on Henderson and Alisson.

"Hendo is ready. Ali will not be [for Monday]."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) March 10, 2020

Atleti have not enjoyed the best 2019-20 campaign and are in fifth in La Liga.

However, they put in a vintage display in last month's first leg to edge their noses in front in the tie:

Atletico's fans really brought it against Liverpool 🔥 https://t.co/NL9EcZYAOz

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 19, 2020

A similarly immaculate performance will be needed from Diego Simeone's side if they are to convert that lead into a quarter-final spot after Wednesday's second leg.

Klopp is acutely aware of the threat posed by the Spanish side and praised the talent of 20-year-old Joao Felix, who has scored twice in three league games since his return from injury:

Klopp asked about Joao Felix

"Wow. young and so skilled, a nice combination. We saw the last game, looked intense after a long break, tomorrow will be too. We need to keep them busy where they don't want to be. He has speed, creativity and a football brain. He can cause probs."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) March 10, 2020

The German manager added that his team will feed off the Anfield crowd in a bid to turn the tie around:

Klopp: "Our crowd will be our advantage and we have to use it with the performance on the pitch. It has to be exceptional because they defend deep and have counter-attack threat. Each player can be dangerous. Set-pieces, an experienced team. They know how to deal with it all."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) March 10, 2020

The 2019-20 campaign is already set to go down in Liverpool history because the Reds will almost certainly end their 30-year wait for a 19th English league title.

There is the potential, though, that the Reds' extraordinary season could end with a slight whimper if they make a premature exit from the Champions League.

In the last two weeks, Liverpool's hopes of emulating Arsenal's 2003-04 Invincibles side or Manchester United's 1998-99 Treble winners have been dashed:

🔘 United’s treble season in 1999
🔘 Arsenal’s invincible season in 2004

Still the only ones to do it 😤 pic.twitter.com/v5HoXUOrqW

— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 3, 2020

That should motivate them more than ever to stay on track in the Champions League as they look to join AC Milan on seven titles. 

Andy Robertson will play no part in Liverpool's Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday, but the left-back will be fit for UEFA Champions League duty.

Jurgen Klopp told BT Sport the Scotland international was left out of the squad to face the Cherries at Anfield with the second leg against Atletico Madrid in mind (h/t Chris Shaw of the club's official website):

"He would have started today but then he felt [something] slightly. But it's all good, it will be fine for Wednesday. But not for today. So we didn't want to have him on the bench and see Robbo and think, 'Maybe we can bring you [on].' It wouldn't make sense today. That's the reason, and he will be fine."

Utility man James Milner replaced Robertson in Saturday's lineup, but the latter's pace and eye for an assist will be crucial if the holders are going to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit against Atleti.

🔴 Today's team for #LIVBOU... https://t.co/Yk8D7Hc4Ta

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 7, 2020

Klopp's caution regarding one of his most important players is understandable and perhaps reflects the recent setbacks in Liverpool's otherwise awesome season.

Defeat in the Spanish capital began a run of three losses in four matches across all competitions. Those included losing 3-0 away to struggling Watford, a result that ended Liverpool's 44-match unbeaten run in England's top flight and the chance to match Arsenal's 2003-04 Invincibles.

Any dreams about winning a treble and equalling the achievements of Manchester United's 1998/99 vintage were wrecked by Tuesday's 2-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fifth round.

Now Liverpool's focus is firmly on not only wrapping up a first domestic league title since 1990 but also on defending the European silverware they won last season.

The first part of the equation should be simple enough since Robertson and Co. have a 22-point lead over second-place Manchester City. It's surely an insurmountable advantage, even if the Citizens have played a game less.

Europe represents the tougher challenge, with Atletico notoriously difficult to break down. It's a trait that left Klopp frustrated during the first leg:

Atletico Madrid won against Liverpool despite having 27.5% possession, the lowest by a winning team in a UCL knockout game since Basel in Mar 2018 (vs. Man City).

Vintage Simeone. 👊 pic.twitter.com/Crz70l0MPi

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 18, 2020

Robertson's quality deliveries could make the difference in the return fixture since the former Hull City man has created seven goals domestically this season. Even though he doesn't have a Champions League assist to his credit this term, Robertson forms a deadly duo with fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The pair represent the creative heartbeat of Klopp's team, and when they are kept quiet, Liverpool usually struggle:

Liverpool went 0/24 on crosses against Watford. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson were unsuccessful on 18 tries. #LFC (via @StatsZone) pic.twitter.com/KbVx4AQCLw

— Ben Krimmel (@BenKrimmel) February 29, 2020

Protecting his prized assets and taking advantage of the healthy lead Liverpool own in the league is smart squad management from Klopp. It will help to refresh a group that's appeared jaded in recent weeks and could be the catalyst for more European glory.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker will miss the Reds' clash with Bournemouth on Saturday and won't face Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday after suffering a hip injury in training.

Paul Gorst of the Liverpool Echo shared manager Jurgen Klopp's comments from his press conference on Friday:

Klopp: "Alisson has suffered a muscle problem in the hip. You could all work still but not for a pro goalkeeper."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) March 6, 2020

David Lynch of the Evening Standard noted Klopp later confirmed Alisson's absence from the crucial tie against the Spanish giants. 

Jurgen Klopp now confirms that Alisson Becker will definitely miss the Atletico Madrid game.

— David Lynch (@davidlynchlfc) March 6, 2020

The Reds are 1-0 down to Atleti from the first leg of their last-16 tie. 

Alisson is also a doubt for the Reds' Premier League clash at Everton on March 16:

Klopp on Alisson: "I don't want to say no [for Merseyside derby] but I am not sure. We have to judge the situation next week. After int'l break he will be 100% but we will see."

— Paul Gorst (@ptgorst) March 6, 2020

Liverpool will have to turn to backup goalkeeper Adrian in the meantime.

The Spaniard failed to keep out a shot from Willian that was straight at him on Tuesday as the Reds lost 2-0 to Chelsea in the FA Cup:

It is not the first time this season he has made an error to give the opponents a goal:

3 - Adrian has made three errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, more than any other Liverpool player. Clanger. #CHELIV pic.twitter.com/vq4JLgzrmo

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 3, 2020

Goal compared his numbers in this campaign with Alisson's:

Klopp provides an update on Alisson, indicating he will definitely miss Atletico Madrid:

🗣: "He is not available for tomorrow and then the next week. We have to judge the situation." pic.twitter.com/jpr8kg78hC

— GOAL (@goal) March 6, 2020

Liverpool have still won 10 of the 14 matches Adrian has started this season, while Bournemouth have lost 10 of their last 12 away games in all competitions, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue for that match.

It is far from ideal against Atleti, though. A single away goal for Los Rojiblancos means Liverpool will have to score three on Wednesday, and that will be no mean feat.

Atletico have shipped just 19 goals in 26 La Liga matches this season, and not once in this campaign have they conceded three in a single match.

Liverpool forward Takumi Minamino has said that although he is taking time to adapt to his new surroundings, he is hoping to offer more to the team.

Minamino signed for Liverpool from Red Bull Salzburg in January.

In an interview with Glenn Price for Liverpool's official website, he said:

"In the last three months there have been areas which I'm quite happy about. But personally I would love to contribute more to goals and assists—I'm feeling very hungry about that.

"I don't really know how much I still need to learn. But day by day, I'm feeling that I understand his [Jurgen Klopp's] philosophies and I'm getting better."

Minamino has made six appearances since he joined the Reds, but he has completed 90 minutes just once from three starts in the FA Cup.

He has been a substitute in his three Premier League appearances, playing a combined total of 77 minutes.

"I only have limited chances, but when the manager needs me, I have to show the results of the manager's expectations," the Japan international said. He also added that his lack of game time is "not a good excuse" for not contributing more.

The 25-year-old, who can play on either flank or through the middle, had returned nine goals and 11 assists in 22 appearances for Salzburg this season prior to his move. However, he is yet to be involved in a goal for his new side.

Minamino may not want to use his infrequent minutes as an excuse, but getting regular game time at Anfield is difficult when he'd have to replace one of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane.

When he played in Liverpool's 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea on Tuesday, he had spent just 20 minutes on the pitch since January 26.

He still managed to impress in the first half at Stamford Bridge, though:

Minamino’s looked really inventive so far. Promising.

— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) March 3, 2020

Minamino really sharp so far tonight.

— Jack Sear (@JackSear) March 3, 2020

Minamino looking very decent so far. Just needs a goal or being involved in a goal to give him a little more confidence. But some nice touches.

— Joe Rimmer (@JoeRimmer88) March 3, 2020

Minamino and the rest of Liverpool's side were less impactful after the break, particularly when Ross Barkley netted Chelsea's second in the 64th minute to kill off the contest.

The FA Cup will no longer be an option for Minamino to get on the pitch, but Liverpool still have 10 more Premier League matches left of the campaign and could have as many as seven more games in the UEFA Champions League, should they overturn their 1-0 deficit to Atletico Madrid in the last 16.

Liverpool only need a maximum of 12 more points to secure the Premier League title, so if they remain in the Champions League, Klopp will likely have plenty of licence to rotate his side domestically during the run-in to keep his first XI fit for Europe.

Minamino will likely play a more important role next season, too. Salah and Mane will likely be in attendance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Egypt and Senegal, respectively, and so they will be absent for much of January and February next year.