Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone praised his opponent Liverpool before they faced them in the first leg of the Champions League round sixteen on Tuesday, saying that the team will write his name in the history records because of his level this season.
Liverpool returns to Wanda Metropolitan Stadium, where it won the Champions League last June by defeating Tottenham Hotspur and maintains its unbeaten record in the English Premier League after 26 games.
On the other hand, Atletico is suffering in the league and occupying the fourth place and entered a strong competition to ensure qualification for the most prominent continental club tournament next season.
“I remember (Prussia) Dortmund, led by Jurgen Klopp, and he looked like Liverpool. (Liverpool) has the same competition, but given the existing players he plays in a different way,” Simeone said.
“We always talk about the greatest teams in history and this squad for Liverpool will write its name in the history records. I love the Liverpool team because it plays in a direct way but it can change its style as well and I appreciate that.”
Atletico enters the game after a 2-2 draw with Valencia on Friday, while Liverpool defeated its host Norwich City on Saturday.
“We face a great team with a different coach (from Valencia) that depends on the counterattack and excellent positioning all the time and we succeeded in developing the team every year for it in the club,” Simeone said.
“Despite the departure of (Brazilian Philippe) Coutinho (to Barcelona in 2018) the team has become more powerful and this says a lot about the club and the players that exist.”
Simeone will play without injured Portuguese striker Joao Felix, but he will welcome Diego Costa, who has been out of action since November.
During his time with Chelsea in England, Costa played four games against Liverpool and scored two goals.
“He is improving and training very well and we can see what this means for him. He will be in a lineup of 19 players for tomorrow’s game and he will have an opportunity to play,” Simeone added.
