Champions League

JURGEN KLOPP admitted it was ‘difficult’ playing at Real Madrid’s training ground on Tuesday night.Liverpool were well beaten 3-1 by Los Blancos in the Champions League at Real’s Alfredo di Stefano training pitch.
Jurgen Klopp bemoaned playing at Real Madrid’s training groundCredit: EPA
Los Blancos beat Liverpool 3-1 at their 6,000 seat Alfredo di Stefano stadiumCredit: Getty
The Spanish giants have been playing games at the 6,000 capacity ‘stadium’ since the coronavirus outbreak as they refurbish their Bernabeu home.
Despite the fact no fans have been allowed into any stadiums in recent months, regardless of capacity, German gaffer Klopp said the ‘strange’ environment made it tougher for his team.
Mo Salah scored for Liverpool while Vinicius Junior scored either side of a Marco Asensio strike to give Real a 3-1 win in the first leg of the quarter-final.
And after the game, Klopp said he was looking forward to getting back to a ‘proper stadium’ in Anfield.
He said: “It must be a really tricky task for Real Madrid at Anfield.
“This was strange tonight because it was really difficult with the stadium (at Madrid’s training ground) but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and it will be good for us.
“If you want to have some emotional memories you watch the Barcelona game back and 80 per cent of it is the atmosphere in the stadium.
“It’s not like I sit here and say ‘Comebacks are our thing’. We had supporters then and I don’t know if we can do it.”
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This is not the first time Klopp has summoned a bizarre excuse after a poor performance.
In December 2015, Klopp blamed ‘extreme wind’ in England for Liverpool struggling to implement his ‘Gegenpress’ philosophy.
And in January last year, Klopp claimed broadcaster BT Sport ordered minimal stoppage time in the fourth-round FA Cup loss to West Brom.
Another game against West Brom, another disappointing performance – this time throwing away a 2-0 lead to draw with the Baggies in April 2018.
Rather than accept the lack of defensive concentration, Klopp took aim at the dry pitch.
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RIO FERDINAND branded Jude Bellingham the ‘real deal’ after his scintillating performance against Manchester City.And Owen Hargreaves believes the Borussia Dortmund ace must start for England at the Euros.
Jude Bellingham was praised for his performance for Borussia Dortmund at Manchester CityCredit: AFP
Erling Haaland was in the spotlight, but Jude Bellingham shone brightest in Manchester 💛🖤It’s time to get very excited about Dortmund’s English sensation! 💫 pic.twitter.com/4qGlTYSCDU— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 7, 2021

Bellingham, still just 17, was one of the stars of the show at the Etihad despite the German side losing 2-1 on the night.
And BT Sport pundits lauded the two-cap senior Three Lions international – especially for his tender age.
Ferdinand tweeted: “Bellingham aka the real deal… has put on a clinic….a teenager! Driving licence still not through yet I think.”
Speaking before kick-off, Hargreaves said: “I think Bellingham will start for Gareth [Southgate] at the Euros.
“His all-around game is so good, he plays like a grown man. He’s already a star and he’s going to be one of the best in a short time.”
He added after full-time: “Bellingham has got the lot, he’s special. He gives you a bit more power in the midfield.
“Mason Mount’s going to start. If you play Declan and Bellingham just in front… Gareth has unbelievable options.
“But Bellingham is playing in a Champions League game like this. I don’t care if he’s 17, he’s playing up to the level.
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Bellingham aka the real deal… has put on a clinic….a teenager!Driiving licence still not through yet I think 😂@BellinghamJude 👏🏽 #UCL— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 6, 2021

“He’s so mature, he’s so good in every phase of the game. He plays because everybody trusts him.
“I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch, from both teams.
“I can’t get over how good he is, in and out of possession. Real credit to him.”
Bellingham joined Borussia Dortmund in a £30million transfer from boyhood club Birmingham City last summer and has one goal and four assists this term.
At 17 years and 281 days, the midfielder became the second-youngest starter in a Champions League quarter-final – only behind Barcelona’s Bojan in 2008.
“He’s so mature, he’s so good in every phase of the game.””I thought he was one of the best players on the pitch, from both teams.”Owen Hargreaves and @JoleonLescott couldn’t believe Jude Bellingham’s maturity at the age of 17 vs. Man City 🌟 pic.twitter.com/MkzlhfdK50— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

17y 281d – Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham is the second youngest player to start a Champions League quarter-final (17 years, 281 days), behind only Bojan in April 2008 for Barcelona vs FC Schalke 04 (17 years, 217 days). Platform. pic.twitter.com/YsREYIwA64— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 6, 2021

He played a key role with the pre-assist for Marco Reus’ Dortmund equaliser and was cruelly denied a goal for himself despite seemingly pinching the ball fairly from Ederson.
Analysing the crucial away goal, Hargreaves continued: “Just watch this from a 17-year-old, Jude Bellingham, that’s crazy. Composure, calmness.”
Joleon Lescott was covering the game alongside Hargreaves and commented: “Jude Bellingham was outstanding tonight.
“From a personal and England point of view, it’s exciting he’s going into the Euros with that kind of form.
“It’s remarkable. There’s not another English midfielder playing at this level.”
Bellingham was denied an equaliser when he picked Ederson’s pocket but the whistle blewCredit: EPA
The English teenager linked up with Marco Reus and Erling Haaland for the crucial away goalCredit: Getty
Owen Hargreaves is excited by what he is seeing and wants to see Bellingham start at the EurosCredit: BT Sport

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THE damning stats behind Trent Alexander-Arnold’s horror night in Madrid make grim reading – including giving the ball away a whopping 23 times.Alexander-Arnold endured a torrid time at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Tuesday as Real Madrid put one foot in the Champions League semi-finals at Liverpool’s expense.
Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a nightmare evening for Liverpool away at Real MadridCredit: Getty
The Reds right-back, 22, failed to track Vinicius Junior’s run for the opening goal and then gifted Marco Asensio the second with his misjudged header.
He was undone defensively throughout a ragged opening 45 minutes and was booked late on for his reaction to giving a foul away – then finally showed some fight by squaring up to Vinicius.
And Alexander-Arnold will want to avoid his numbers from the 3-1 defeat.
The defender lost possession on 23 occasions – the most by anyone on the field – and was dribbled past twice.
He made two errors leading to shots, including the present for Asensio.
No one bettered his tally of four interceptions or nine recoveries – but also his three fouls conceded.
To make matters worse, last season’s PFA Young Player of the Year failed to make a single tackle in the 90 minutes and won just two of his eight duels.
Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher criticised his defensive diligence.
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It’s gone from bad to worse for the Reds 😳Real Madrid lead Liverpool 2-0 before half-time…Major work to do in the second half! pic.twitter.com/YRHou8El2v— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

Speaking on CBS, Carra said: “He doesn’t have that intensity in his legs and the focus to defend. ‘This guy is not going to go past me.’
“It’s like he feels like defending is not his job. [That he] should be on the ball.
“He’s not out of position, he’s in position – now he’s got to defend, and he’s got to make it difficult against top wingers at this level.”
Alexander-Arnold was already in the spotlight after Gareth Southgate omitted him from the England squad for the March internationals.
And SunSport’s Charlie Wyett believes his performance in Spain secured his spot for the Euros this summer… in front of the telly.
He wrote: “What a wretched season this has been for everyone at Liverpool but, apart from those who have suffered injuries, Alexander-Arnold has probably suffered the most misery.
“And now this. Exposed and caught out by Real with Ferland Mendy and Vinicius Junior causing so many problems down the left.
“Despite being under pressure, the header to Asensio was unforgivable from Alexander-Arnold. Imagine if this had been in the knockout stages of the Euros.”
Ferland Mendy, left, and Vinicius Junior ran the right-back ragged throughout the gameCredit: Getty
The defender gift-wrapped Los Blancos’ second goal when he headed the ball to Marco AsensioCredit: BT Sport

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JURGEN KLOPP blasted referee Felix Brych’s performance in the Champions League quarter-final and accused him of making ‘personal’ decisions against Sadio Mane.The Liverpool boss, 53, saw his side slump to a 3-1 defeat away at Real Madrid in the first leg on Tuesday night.
Jurgen Klopp made his frustrations with referee Felix Brych clear at full-timeCredit: Getty
But he came out firing at the officials, unhappy with a series of decisions that went against the reigning Premier League champions.
One particular incident saw Mane brought down by last-man Lucas Vazquez.
But play was allowed to continue and within 27 seconds Marco Asensio had made it 2-0 by capitalising on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s error.
And to make matters worse, Klopp’s German compatriot Brych showed Mane a yellow card three minutes later for tripping Vazquez.
Klopp fumed: “The situation with Sadio – what the ref did tonight I don’t understand.
“For me that was something personal because he dealt with the situation with Sadio, which was a clear foul, like he was a diver or whatever.
“From that moment on whenever Sadio went down he didn’t get anything. That is not right.
“That is what I told him after the game, that I thought he was unfair with Sadio.
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It’s gone from bad to worse for the Reds 😳Real Madrid lead Liverpool 2-0 before half-time…Major work to do in the second half! pic.twitter.com/YRHou8El2v— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

“That doesn’t change anything at all. He didn’t lose the game.
“We were not good enough to get a better result, but in these moments you need just an ‘OK’ ref. That would have been enough.”
Brych then waved away more Liverpool appeals late on when Mane appeared to be fouled on the edge of the Real box to complete a miserable night for the Reds.
Vinicius Junior’s double either side of the Asensio finish secured a comfortable win for the hosts.
Mo Salah did get an away goal but it is Real Madrid who hold the advantage before the second leg at an empty Anfield.
Klopp added: “Most importantly, we didn’t deserve to win tonight. We didn’t play good enough for that.
I don’t know if we can go through but we will give it a proper tryJurgen Klopp
“We conceded the first goal and served the second on a plate but that was not the real problem of the game.
“We scored our goal and that is ‘the’ positive of the night. Did we deserve more than 3-1? I’m not sure.
“Of course, it is completely different [without fans for second leg]. If you want to have some emotional memories you watch the Barcelona game back and 80 per cent of it is the atmosphere in the stadium.
“We had supporters then and I don’t know if we can do it but we will give it a proper try.
“It must be a really tricky task for Real Madrid at Anfield with or without supporters.”
The Liverpool boss accused the referee’s treatment of Sadio Mane as ‘personal’Credit: Getty
The Senegal star was booked three minutes after the incident with Lucas VazquezCredit: AFP

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MANCHESTER CITY are desperate for Erling Haaland’s signature – but it was the linesman who got it at the Etihad.While Haaland himself fluffed his lines as Man City beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League tie, he was happy to write one for the assistant ref in a bizarre moment caught on camera.
Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland was spotted giving his autograph to an assistant referee after the 2-1 defeat to Man City
On the incident in the tunnel at the Etihad, TV pundit Own Hargreaves told BT Sport: “You can’t do that. It just doesn’t look right.”
Former City title winner Joleon Lescott added: “There is a never a right time for that to happen.
“It doesn’t look right, it doesn’t bode well for the officials and the set-up – it’s a childish thing to see.”
Man City boss Pep Guardiola was equally bemused saying: “I’ve never seen it before but it happened.”
After the full-time whistle blew Haaland – who grew up a Man City fan – could be seeing having a friendly chat with Phil Foden.
Speculation continues to mount that City will make a bid for the in-demand Norwegian this summer, although Guardiola said they are unlikely to be able to afford him.
The hosts won the game with a 90th-minute goal from Foden after Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring and Marco Reus scored an equaliser.
The impressive Jude Bellingham, 17, controversially had a goal ruled out after he was judged to have fouled City keeper Ederson.
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Halland and Phil Foden had a friendly chat at full-timeCredit: AP
Guardiola says they will travel to Germany intent on winning the second leg.
Guardiola said: “It’s better to win than draw. We are going there to win the game.
“In the first half we were not clever with the ball.
“The second half was much better, we had two or three clear chances to score the second and third but it didn’t happen. After we concede 1-1 we scored the final goal.

“Dortmund are strong, a good quality with the players they have and the quality it is difficult to do what we want to do, but at 2-1 we have a good chance next week.
“Borussia Dortmund is a typical club from the Champions League. We have one more game there and with the result 2-1 we will try to score the goals there to win.
“We are going to analyse what we have to do like we have done for four or five months. Every game we play to win.”
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BORUSSIA DORTMUND were left furious after Jude Bellingham saw a crucial goal ruled out in their 2-1 defeat to Man City.Injured Dortmund star Jadon Sancho tweeted “This ref needs checking!” after the Germans thought they had cancelled out Kevin de Bruyne’s opener.
Jude Bellingham has the ball in the back of the net vs. Man City… but the referee says no!The teenager robbed Ederson of the ball, but play was pulled back for a foul. @jjenas8 thinks the hosts got away with one there… 😬 pic.twitter.com/hYLhvQojxX— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 6, 2021

Jude Bellingham was furious after he saw his goal ruled outCredit: Reuters
This Ref needs checking! 🤦🏽‍♂️— Jadon Sancho (@Sanchooo10) April 6, 2021

Goalkeeper Ederson miscontrolled a through ball – and saw Bellingham nip in to steal from him in midair.
The English prodigy, 17, gleefully walked the ball into an empty net – and looked sure the goal would stand.
But with Ederson throwing himself to the floor after the challenge and clutching his leg, Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan blew for a free-kick.
And because the whistle went BEFORE the ball crossed the line, the VAR was not allowed to get involved with the decision.
Bellingham was shown a yellow card in the furore after the goal, although it is unclear if he was booked for a high foot or dissent.
Etihad old boy Sancho – missing from the action because of injury – summed up the feelings of many viewers on social media with his disbelieving tweet.
And armchair fans followed suit with responses like: “Unbelievable – never a foul from Jude” and “BVB robbed!!”
Another posted: “Decisions like this is what’s wrong with football.”
The England star, 17, had stolen the ball from Ederson in mid-air – but a foul was given against himCredit: The Sun
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The same supporter also argued: “I just don’t understand why referees are so quick to blow their whistle, knowing they have var to check decisions. looks blatant, and frustrating to watch.”
An even more brutal verdict was this: “One of the worst decisions I’ve seen in a long time, there’s no defending something like that!”
Some fans, though, used the opportunity to urge Sancho to join Manchester United.
One typical such comment was: You want good refereeing decisions, come to Old Trafford son.”
Dortmund were made to pay for the disallowed goal as they fell to a late defeat at the Etihad.
After De Bruyne’s opener, Marco Reus scored a crucial away goal in the 84th minute that would have given them the advantage heading into the second leg.
But the visitors could not hold on, with Phil Foden sweeping in from Ilkay Gundogan’s 90th-minute cutback to win 2-1.

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