Andy Robertson eyes another ‘special’ European night at Anfield

Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson hopes that the Reds can emulate another famous European night at Anfield.

The Reds’ fortress has become well-known for it’s special nights in European cup competitions, dating back to the 1970s when they overcame Brugge and St Etienne. 

Robertson limped off at half-time against Barcelona two years and had to watch on from the stands as Georginio Wijnaldum and Divock Origi spearheaded Liverpool’s tremendous fightback against Barcelona.

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi had fired Los Cules into a 3-0 first-leg lead at the Nou Camp.

However, upon returning to Anfield for the first time for Phillipe Coutinho and Suarez, they were on the receiving end of a remarkable turn around from Jurgen Klopp’s side to win 4-0 and book their place in the Champions League final.

Liverpool made to pay for their poor first half just eight days ago in Madrid as Vinicius Jr and Marco Asensio helped Zinedine Zidane’s side to a 3-1 win.

The Scotland skipper said: “[It] is do or die in this competition, you’re either in or you’re out. We’ll be walking off the pitch and back into the changing room either in another semi-final of a Champions League or we’ll be out.

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Despite the task not being as great as it was two years ago against Barcelona, Liverpool will have to overturn the first leg result in front of an empty Anfield.

The ominous and eerily silent proceedings that have come before the famous Kop End in recent months have been nothing short of deflating and spineless since that end-to-end win over Chelsea, that saw Liverpool crowned Premier League champions, in June. 

Saturday saw Klopp’s men pick up their first win at home since December 16th and just hours later Wednesday’s visitors held off Messi and co to assert their La Liga title credentials with a 2-1 win.

Three to four months without a win at Anfield almost seemed like playing at home for the Reds was a disadvantage.

Luckily, the tide has turned and finally three points have been secured in L4 since Roberto Firmino’s last-gasp header against Tottenham just before Christmas. 

Attention turns elsewhere for Robertson and the squad, now they are focused on overturning the two-goal deficit set by the 13-time winners at the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, last week.

“That’s the beauty of the second leg, that’s what we’re playing for, that’s what we’re fighting for and it’s up to us to put in a performance that everyone can be proud of.” The 27-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com, “We’re in control of that, luckily, but it’s up to us to go and show it and go and do it.

“That’s what we need to get our minds on and come [the] night we need to be ready. Obviously [we’re] without our fans in here, which will be incredibly tough, but hopefully, we can feel their love and feel the energy and use that to our advantage.

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Coincidentally, April 14 marks the fifth anniversary of Liverpool’s famous win over Jurgen Klopp’s former club Borussia Dortmund.

Goals from Origi, Coutinho, Mamadou Sakho and Dejan Lovren helped the Reds overcome the Yellow Wall to book their place in the Europa League semi-final in a nail-biting 5-4 aggregate win at Anfield.

Only James Milner and the Belgian striker remain from the team that secured a last-four spot. Real Madrid is all that stands in the way of Liverpool setting up an all-English semi-final against Chelsea.

Clashes reminiscent of years gone by with the Blues, in order to seal their place in the UEFA Champions League last four, Jurgen Klopp must overcome, arguably, his toughest task yet of overcoming the record holders in front of a fan-less Anfield.

“Hopefully it’s another special night at Anfield.” Robertson concluded.