Real Madrid star wary of dangerous Liverpool duo inspiring Champions League comeback after watching Man Utd demolition
Liverpool have two dangerous attackers who might be ready to turn the tables on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League clash, fears Eder Militao.
Real Madrid are due to welcome Liverpool to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday for the second leg of their round of 16 tie. The hosts will have the advantage after a stunning 5-2 win at Anfield in the first leg.
Liverpool have a serious deficit to overturn if they are to progress any further in the competition. However, it is not a foregone conclusion that Real Madrid will preserve their aggregate lead.
After their win over Espanyol in La Liga on Saturday, Militao admitted he is wary that Liverpool still have a chance of another famous Champions League comeback, pointing to two danger men in particular.
“The night in Liverpool was one of the most historic in my sporting life,” he said. “To win 5-2 there and score is a unique moment for any footballer.
“But Liverpool have a super squad and now we do not want to be surprised at home. Mo Salah has come into a good moment in attack. He is always dangerous and against us he is hyper-motivated.
“And also Roberto Firmino is scoring goals again. So until the end of this match, nothing has been decided.”
Firmino recently put the icing on the cake of a 7-0 win over Man Utd, shortly after it became clear he would be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season. Salah, for his part, scored a brace in that match.
The Egyptian, though, will go into the game on the back of a spectacularly missed penalty in Liverpool’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.
Real Madrid squad saw Liverpool demolish Man Utd
Liverpool will be looking for a big response in midweek. Even after the Bournemouth setback, they still have hopes of repeating some happier recent memories, such as their 7-0 win over Man Utd.
Militao has revealed that the Real squad have watched that astonishing match. Thus, they are well aware of what Liverpool are capable of when it all clicks.
“Some people believe this tie is already finished but I am expecting a big night between two of the clubs with the biggest histories in world football,” Militao added.
“It’s certain that Real Madrid have a very big advantage. But still, we must wait another 90 minutes and the round is not closed.
“In previous editions of the Champions League, we have experienced situations that have been right on the limit and we know they were lessons for us. Liverpool improved in the last matches and we saw the game against Manchester United. They were spectacular.
“We expect a different Liverpool in Madrid than the one we faced at Anfield because they need to take risks to score goals. But our challenge is to play such a match that no one remembers our 5-2 win at Anfield.
“The fact the second leg is in front of our supporters is favourable for us. Liverpool will feel enormous pressure and each minute that passes without a goal for them is a success for us.
“Real have suffered problems with winning and scoring goals since our win in Liverpool but I am totally convinced this will change this week at the Santiago Bernabeu.”
