Carragher calls on Adrian to have starring role in Liverpool CL progression

Jamie Carragher has said that Liverpool must take risks against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday if they are to progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Jurgen Klopp‘s team have work to do at Anfield in the second leg of their last 16 tie, having lost 1-0 to the LaLiga giants in the first leg three weeks ago.

Atletico were perfect in their defensive approach last time out, keeping Liverpool without a shot on target, and boss Diego Simeone has insisted that it is unlikely his tactics will change as his players look to defend their advantage.

Speaking to The Athletic, former Reds defender Jamie Carragher has said that in response, Klopp must ensure that his players create and maintain a high tempo throughout at Anfield.

“You’ve got to move the ball fast in a game like this,” Carragher said.

“When you get the opportunity to really attack Atletico you’ve got to go for it and that means taking risks.

“You might lose the ball more than normal in trying to force it but it’s about reacting to situations and not allowing them to get organised with 11 men behind the ball.”

Back-up goalkeeper Adrian will be in goal for Liverpool due to Alisson Becker’s hip injury and Carragher urged the Spaniard to play a crucial role in his side keeping up that tempo.

“Atletico won’t commit many players forward but on the rare occasions they do have two or three caught upfield, you need to turn defence into attack quickly,” he said.

 

 

“As soon as the goalkeeper catches it, he needs to be looking to get Liverpool flying at them.”

Liverpool will have a psychological advantage in that only former Chelsea forwards Diego Costa and Alvaro Morata from the Atletico side have experienced the atmosphere generated at a crunch European night at Anfield.

Atletico midfielder Thomas Partey, however, has insisted that his teammates are ready for everything the Liverpool fans and players throw at them.

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