Luka Modric admits that he is ‘really surprised’ by Liverpool’s difficulties this season
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Luka Modric admits he’s “really surprised” by Liverpool’s struggles this season, but the Real Madrid star stresses he’s not taking anything for granted ahead of the Champions League clash.
- Luka Modric says he is surprised by Liverpool’s problems this season
- However, a difficult task awaits Modric in the Champions League round of 16
- Liverpool have won their last two games but are eighth in the league.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has admitted he is surprised by Liverpool’s inconsistency this season.
Although Jurgen Klopp’s side have won their last two matches, they have been a shadow of themselves for much of this campaign and currently sit eighth in the Premier League.
Liverpool host Real on Tuesday in the Champions League round of 16 first leg and Modric is still wary of the threat they are capable of providing.
Modric said: “I’m really surprised that Liverpool are so far from first place in the Premier League, but they can also say the same about us at the moment in La Liga. So I don’t say anything!
“Seeing the Liverpool squad, we know that at any moment they can react and start to come back in the season. Hopefully it won’t be in these two Champions League games against us but we have to be prepared.
Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric has admitted he is surprised by Liverpool’s season
Jurgen Klopp’s team have lacked consistency but Modric doesn’t take anything for granted
“Despite our league seasons, a Liverpool-Real match is one of the best spectacles the world of football can offer. It’s a shame that the draw led us to play so early in the competition because it would have been a great Champions League final”.
Modric expects the two games in the tie against Liverpool to be close matches, but says he sees Real as favourites.
He said: ‘In terms of this first leg, I think defenses could be the key. I don’t see many goals in the match. Surely they will be two very even games, but I see Real as a favorite and we will go to Anfield to look for victory.
Modric says he sees Real Madrid as the favorite for the Champions League clash
‘As away goals no longer count twice, it makes less of a difference if you play home or away first. But I always prefer to play the second leg at home because at the Bernabéu we have seen many times how the fans in the stands influence this type of match.
La Real, for its part, occupies second place in LaLiga, five points behind leader Barcelona, who has played one game less.
Last season Real defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the Champions League final, and it will be intriguing to see which team makes it to the quarter-finals this season.
At times this campaign Liverpool has been devoid of cohesion and ideas.
Darwin Núñez has been impressive in recent games, but the striker is a doubt for the first leg against Real due to a shoulder injury.
