Jurgen Klopp has urged his Liverpool stars to summon the spirit of West Brom as they seek to overturn a two-goal deficit in their Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid tonight.
With Real winning 3-1 in Madrid last week, Klopp believes his players will have to match the heroics of Liverpool’s legendary 2-2 draw against the Baggies if they are to progress to the semi-finals.
Divock Origi’s deflected 95th-minute strike famously rescued a point for the Reds against Tony Pulis’ side back in 2015, with Klopp assembling his players in front of the Kop to take their rightful bows after the full-time whistle.
“We may not have the quality of Lovren or Benteke like we did against West Brom but we must show the same belief,” Klopp told Paddy Power News.
“Not many people would have bet a penny on us that night but somehow he salvaged a point against a very good West Brom side.
“To come back from 2-1 down at home the way they did – they really were mentality giants.”
However, the German admitted tonight’s challenge has been made even more difficult without any fans in the stadium.
Without the fans I fear we may never have snatched that point against the Baggies.
“It would also have been strange to take our 300 bows in front of empty seats with coverings emblazoned with club slogans.”
The 53-year-old former Borussia Dortmund boss also revealed that one of the heroes of the famous 2-2, Alberto Moreno, will be giving a motivational speech to the Liverpool players shortly before kick-off.
“I’ve asked him to say a few words to the boys as I know they look up to him,” Klopp added.
“Not in a physical sense because he’s about 5ft 2 but you know what I mean.”
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