Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Match Preview and Predictions
Liverpool may be just two wins away from capturing their first Premier League title in 30 years but their Champions League reign is in danger of ending at the round-of-16 stage.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
Saul Niguez’s early goal gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 victory in the first leg against the Reds who failed to get a shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are no strangers to overcoming deficits as they proved last season with a 4-0 victory against Barcelona at Anfield having lost the first leg 3-0 at Camp Nou.
Match information
When is it? Wednesday March 11th
What time is kick-off? 20:00
Where is it being played? Anfield
Which channel is it on? BT Sport 2
Who is the referee? Danny Makkelie (Hol)
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Betting Tips
Here are our best tips for the match and we also have a range of other markets available:
The lowdown
Liverpool paid the price for conceding so early against the Spaniards who are masterful at hanging on to a lead under defence-minded coach Diego Simeone.
Klopp was unhappy that he felt forced to substitute Sadio Mane at half-time and criticised Atletico’s tactics in his post-match press conference.
He said: “Obviously the plan was to get Sadio out of the game with a yellow card. I was afraid his opponent would go down even if Sadio takes a deep breath or whatever, so I didn’t want to have that situation. That’s why we took him off.
Things you love to see ðŸ˜âœŠ pic.twitter.com/MicvKjWu9y
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 8, 2020
“It was difficult for the referee to deal with the atmosphere tonight. After 30 minutes three Atletico players were already on the ground without being injured. The ref just needs to feel that game a little bit more.”
Simeone added: “In the eight years I’ve been here, I’ve not seen the crowd like that for the whole game. It was really emotional.”
However, a similarly passionate atmosphere is likely to be in evidence at Anfield where the fans are expected to help the players get through a sticky patch.
The Reds’ defeat in Madrid was followed by a humbling 3-0 defeat at Watford in the Premier League and a 2-0 loss at Chelsea in the FA Cup, bookended by comeback victories at home to West Ham and Bournemouth.
But, Atletico are hardly in great form and as things stand they remain outside the Champions League spots following a 2-2 draw with top-four rivals Sevilla at the weekend, a result which means they have won just two of their last eight in La Liga.
[📡🔴] MIXED ZONE
🎙 Here’s the post-match reaction from @marcosllorente
➡ https://t.co/mEaew3VgfV⚽ #AtletiSevillaFC |🔴⚪ #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/YE1zmpylZo
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) March 7, 2020
Liverpool have not lost at Anfield in any competition for 42 games, so home advantage should prove a massive advantage against a side that have won just three of their 13 away games in La Liga.
It should be a blood and thunder kind of evening and we get our Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid predictions under way with a win for Liverpool and under 3.5 goals at 21/20.
Only one of Atletico’s 16 games on the road in the Champions League and La Liga have produced more than three goals this season, so a low-scoring win seems likely for the Merseysiders.
This week’s best bets
If you’re interested in football betting, check out our other previews:
First goalscorer tips
Mo Salah was ineffectual in the first leg and we’re sure Atletico wil be paying special attention to the Egyptian maestro throughout the game, so it may pay dividends to look at some of the lesser lights in the first goalscorer odds.
Georginio Wijnaldum had a habit of popping up with important goals last season, including a double against Barcelona, and in the current campaign the Dutch midfielder got the ball rolling in a 2-1 victory over Genk.
With players like Salah, Mane and Roberto Firmino almost certain to be marked men, Wijnaldum may be afforded some space to open the scoring at 18/1 on what could be another thrilling European night at Anfield.
Anytime goalscorer tips
Andy Robertson was rested for Saturday’s Bournemouth game, but Klopp has no concerns about the Scotland defender who will start on Wednesday.
The left-back will have his usual licence to roam as Liverpool try to overturn a one-goal deficit and he looks good value at 16/1 to score at any time, just as he did in the 4-3 victory against Salzburg.
Where the game will be won or lost
Atletico produced a rearguard masterclass three weeks ago once they had forged ahead and Simeone may deploy similar tactics from the off at Anfield.
That would be a dangerous mind-set against a team as attacking as Liverpool, who have won every home game at Anfield this season and scored 40 times.
No team has kept a clean sheet at Liverpool, so Atletico’s attitude has to be that they will probably need to score in order to make it through to the quarter-finals and the absence of goalkeeper Alisson with a hip injury will encourage them to try their luck against replacement Adrian.
“The crowd will be right with us and it’ll be a special night.” ✨@JamesMilner is eyeing up another special European night at Anfield as we look to overturn a deficit in our #UCL last-16 tie with @Atleti. https://t.co/JT4XDoxQ6r
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 9, 2020
Liverpool’s run of clean sheets has temporarily deserted them and they have now conceded in their last five matches. Worryingly, Atletico have all their main strikers available again.
Four weeks ago, Simone was unable to field Diego Costa, Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix, but all three players were involved in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
Atletico have scored and conceded in their last four Liga matches, so Liverpool to win and both teams to score at 3/1 looks a decent prospect.
Finally, for the last of our Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid betting tips, we’re happy to take the 8/1 on Liverpool to win from behind just as they have done in their last two home games against West Ham and Bournemouth.
We’re not convinced Atletico will simply sit back and hang on to what they hold, especially as they have had to come back from losing positions themselves in their last three games.
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