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‘Didn’t pressure him’: Benitez pinpoints potential Real Madrid weakness for Liverpool to exploit
Liverpool were played off the park in their Champions League quarter-final first round match against Real Madrid on Tuesday, but Rafa Benitez believes all is not lost.
Benitez has managed both clubs, and was in charge when Liverpool pulled off one of the most memorable comebacks in history as they came from 3-0 down to win 2005’s Champions League final against Milan.
Real’s dominance was reflected by a 3-1 scoreline, with Toni Kroos running the show, but the Spaniard feels there are potential weaknesses that Jurgen Klopp’s men can exploit in the return fixture at Anfield on Wednesday.
Speaking to , Benitez said: “The way the tie is, if you score once, you are back in it. Even if that takes an hour, so be it.
“For me, they key will be not to get too anxious – for them to manage that anxiety – don’t rush it. Maintain concentration levels and keep focused.
“With quality players, a goal will come.
“But Liverpool have to be in a position where they can keep a clean sheet – and they will have to be more aggressive at Anfield and play with greater intensity over 90 minutes than they did in Madrid.
“Real Madrid are a balanced side. Casemiro does that really well for them. He allows Toni Kroos and Luka Modric to move around. And to win football matches, you need a balance.
“He also allows the full-backs to move forward. But the reality is that they weren’t exposed too much.
“Nacho is a very good team player. I don’t have any doubts about his quality in the absence of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane but Liverpool didn’t put him under too much pressure, either.
“I would also include the full-backs in that and Mo Salah and Sadio Mane have it in them to cause problems in the return leg if they can find that intensity to their play.”
Liverpool will head into the game with renewed confidence having finally ended their disastrous run of home results in the Premier League. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury-time winner gave them a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.
It was a first league win at Anfield for Klopp’s men since they beat Tottenham 2-1 in December.