- Liverpool took a 3-0 lead to the Etihad in the Champions League quarter-finals
- Man City hit the Reds with everything they had in the first half of the second leg
- Georginio Wijnaldum says Jurgen Klopp’s team talk helped turn the game
Georginio Wijnaldum has revealed how Jurgen Klopp’s half-time team talk helped save Liverpool when they were under the cosh against Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The Reds won the first leg 3-0 at Anfield but City came back swinging in the second, scoring an early goal and taking a 1-0 lead into the break after a one-sided first half.
And Wijnaldum admits that his team were somewhat shell-shocked by City’s play and needed Klopp’s intervention to turn the game around.
Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum speaks during a press conference on Wednesday morning
Jurgen Klopp consoles Manchester City’s players following the second leg at the Etihad
‘I think we were too impressed by the way they were playing,’ Wijnaldum said about the first half. ‘We (were) lucky the game has two halves to play, as we could recover after the first half and play a good second half.
‘We were surprised, I think, with their unbelievable attacking speed. We weren’t really ready for what was to come. I think there was a warning for us for the way we played against City.
‘The manager said we didn’t need to be scared, we just have to play our own game. If we played football we would create chances, as there was so much space in behind.
Gabriel Jesus gave City an early lead as they made a lightning quick start to the second leg
Klopp had to deliver some strong words to his players to help turn the game around
‘He said to play a little bit more instead of playing the direct ball. I think he showed us on the screen, (because) we were dropping too deep. I think maybe because we were impressed and maybe a little bit too scared.’
Liverpool looked reinvigorated when they came out after half-time and won the game 2-1 courtesy of goals from Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
They are now on the verge of a place of the final, having beaten Roma 5-2 at Anfield in the first leg of their semi-final showdown with the second leg taking place in Rome on Wednesday night.
Liverpool players celebrate after Roberto Firmino’s (centre) goal put the tie to bed
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