Jurgen Klopp may have seen his side lose 3-1 on Tuesday night, but the Liverpool manager thinks a return to a 'proper stadium' will benefit them in the second leg.
The Premier League champions, who can no longer mathematically defend their title this season, were outclassed in every department as they lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter final first leg.
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Whilst Liverpool are no strangers to playing against Real, or playing in Madrid, they were in unfamiliar territory on Tuesday, as they faced Zinedine Zidane's side at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
The stadium is usually home to Real's Castilla side but has been hosting the 13 times European champions for the past year as the Bernabeu is being renovated.
It's been good timing for Los Blancos, with no fans in the stadiums anyway, and it hasn't been an issue really, until Klopp took a strange dig at the Alfredo di Stefano stadium, claiming it will be good for his side to play in a 'proper stadium' in the second leg.
Replying to the criticism, Zidane, who saw his side win thanks in part to Toni Kroos' excellent performance, said, "I don't have an opinion on what Jurgen said, but we are proud to play at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano."
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Whilst Liverpool are famous for their comebacks in the Champions League, as well as famous nights under the lights at Anfield, it's a whole different thing this season.
Like on Tuesday there will be no fans at the Reds' home leg next Wednesday so it's unlikely a 'proper stadium' will make too much difference, although Mohamed Salah's away goal does give them hope.
Even ahead of the first leg, the former Borussia Dortmund manager was bringing up the location of the game, saying, "This stadium is completely different to anywhere we ever played before. It's like a training ground."
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Of course he was right, with the stadium, that is named after the legendary Real Madrid player of the same name, also hosting Zidane and his side for training.
One fan cruelly pointed out that the visitors did make it seem like a training session for their hosts, such was the Spanish side's dominance.
Klopp will be sad to know that even when fans eventually return, hopefully for next season, they'll still have to visit the Estadio Alfredo di Stefano, with the Bernabeu not set to be completely renovated until June 2022.
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Until then he better hope a 'proper stadium' can help save his side's season.
Featured Image Credit: BT/PATopics: Liverpool, Anfield, Premier League, Zinedine Zidane, Jurgen Klopp, Champions League, Bernabeu, Real Madrid, La Liga
