Pundits have backed Liverpool to make another comeback against Spanish opposition in the Champions League on Wednesday night, reported Metro.
Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has claimed that the atmosphere at Anfield will drive the Reds to overturn the first leg 1-0 deficit against Atletico Madrid.
Atletico stifled Jurgen Klopp’s free flowing Liverpool team after grabbing an early goal through Saul Niguez in the match at Wanda Metropolitano back in Febrauary.
Klopp’s men have since suffered defeats at the hands of Watford and Chelsea in the Premier League and FA Cup respectively but Ferdinand believes that they will go through to the Champions League quarterfinals.
Liverpool overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit against Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals last season with a famous 4-0 victory at Anfield.
Ferdinand remarked that they will draw inspiration from that night and their experience will be enough to get them past Diego Simeone’s men.
‘I can’t wait. It will be a great atmosphere,’ he said while talking to BT Sport.
‘The experience of last season [beating Barcelona] and the atmosphere that Anfield creates, you can’t bet against Liverpool.
‘They’re team that know how to win. They can win ugly, they can pull it back and drag a result back.
‘They have the experience last season of coming back from a position where everybody thought they were out. I think they have a huge, huge chance.’
Ferdinand was not the only one who was putting his money on Liverpool as former Reds striker Peter Crouch also claimed that he fancies his old team to progress.
Atletico prevented Liverpool from having even a shot on target in the first leg and Crouch claimed that if anyone could stop the Premier League leaders it would be Simeone’s side but it may be too tall an order at Anfield.
‘I’ll be honest, I fancy Liverpool. ‘If anyone can stop Liverpool it would be Atletico but I just think at Anfield, the atmosphere will be electric and Liverpool will go through.’
Liverpool are the reigning European champions and have looked imperious this season both in Europe and domestically.
A Round of 16 exit would surely be an upset even if it comes at the hands of one of the most difficult cup sides in history.
Atletico have not lost a knockout European tie to a team without Cristiano Ronaldo since 2013 and Klopp’s side have a huge task on their hands.
