The important thing is not the fall, it’s the landing. There is no maximum urgency in Liverpool and Real Madrid but this round of 16 of the Champions League (go this Tuesday, return on March 15) still looks like a turning point for these two monsters of Europe. At the end of this double gala confrontation, one or the other will have to draw a line under this vintage 2022-2023 and try to limit the damage in the championship.
Eight months ago, it would have been difficult to bet on such a scenario. The two clubs met at the Stade de France in the Champions League final. A shock that will not go down in history (0-1, goal from Vinicius) but which had allowed the White House to win a 14th continental title thanks to a huge Thibaut Courtois in the cages. “I didn’t watch it until this weekend and now I know why. It was real torture, said Jürgen Klopp, the German coach of the Reds, on Monday. We haven’t taken enough risks, we haven’t been adventurous enough.
It may seem excessive to speak of trauma. But this match began a certain sporting decline for this training subscriber to the podium in the Premier League for 4 years. Jürgen Klopp’s men are currently coughing in 8th place. Or about fifteen points and light years from the regularity necessary to hang Arsenal and Manchester City, 1st and 2nd.
“There is a general form of fatigue” in Liverpool
“We have the feeling that Klopp has wrung his players. After several very intense seasons, there is a form of general fatigue. He may have been a little too late to regenerate the workforce, ”decrypts Jean-Luc Arribart, consultant specialist in the Premier League for Canal +. The cascade of injuries to its executives reinforces this thesis. On January 2, returning from the World Cup, captain Virgil Van Dijk injured his hamstrings. There followed 41 days of absence, marked by a single victory in seven games, and three defeats in the league, including a rout at 17th Wolverhampton (3-0).
The departure of Sadio Mané at Bayern Munich has broken the attacking momentum of this team whose talent depends on its unfailing commitment to pressing and engagement. If Darwin Nunez and Diego Jota are not ridiculous when they are not in the infirmary, Mohamed Salah goes through the winter as a ghost.
Still a touch of hope. This deserves confirmation against a cador but Liverpool has just recorded two successes in a row. A lifesaver for Klopp, even if he really didn’t have to worry as it was, according to Jean-Luc Arribart. “Klopp, we trust him. Unlimited credit doesn’t exist, but he still has a head start with his leaders and his fans. »
Madrid just as fickle
This is also where we feel the weight of the institutions, and the care they take not to give in on a whim to clearance. In Madrid, either, Carlo Ancelotti does not arouse a sling internally. Eight points separate him from the head of La Liga occupied by FC Barcelona, an opponent he beat in October at home (3-1). The Catalans prove to be ruthless against the rest of the competition. Quite the opposite of his rival, who fishes by inconstancy like the state of form of his executives (Modric, Kroos, Vinicius or Militao) and his Blues.
Sentinel Aurélien Tchouaméni does not shine in every match, especially since the post-World Cup resumption. He will also be injured, just like Ferland Mendy and Toni Kroos. This will give playing time to Eduardo Camavinga, one of the only reasons for satisfaction of the merengue season, even if his repairs as a left-back are not necessarily of a kind to help him.
Once again, Real Madrid will therefore rely on their number nine and Ballon d’Or title. Even on a leg and a half, Karim Benzema continues to shine. Preserved Saturday against Osasuna (0-2), he has ten goals and four assists in his last eleven appearances. What to dream of the double? “I think we have more chances of winning this season than last year,” said Carlo Ancelotti, visibly with unfailing confidence.
The probable compositions
Liverpool – Real Madridthis Tuesday (9 p.m., live on Canal +)
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (ROU).
Liverpool. Alisson – Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson – Bajcetic, Fabinho, Henderson (cap.) – Salah, Gakpo, Jota. Coach: Jurgen Klopp (ALL).
Real Madrid. Courtois – Carvajal, Militao, Rüdiger, Alaba – Modric, Camavinga, Valverde – Rodrygo, Benzema (cap.), Vinicius. Entrainer : Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)