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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

Andy Robertson knows what Liverpool must not do against 'frustrating' Atletico Madrid

Andy Robertson says the Anfield atmosphere cannot be taken for granted as he urged supporters to help Liverpool past Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The Reds host the Spaniards aiming to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano three weeks ago.

Saul Niguez's early goal leaves the holders needing to respond to stay in a competition that has seen them contest the last two finals, but Jurgen Klopp remains unbeaten as Liverpool manager across two legs in Europe.

Another red-hot Anfield atmosphere is expected when the European champions host Los Rojiblancos on Wednesday night, but Robertson says Liverpool cannot expect to simply see their visitors wilt on arrival in Merseyside.

And the left-back, who is expected to start after recovering from a slight injury, says only "a complete Liverpool performance" will be enough against Diego Simeone's side.

Robertson said: "We never had a shot on target so if we do that again we won’t get through.

"We dominated possession which I believe we will do again but it is what we do with that. We need to create more chances than we did over there and we need to take.

"On the flip side we need to keep a clean sheet. We need a complete Liverpool performance. We can cause any teams problems and beat any team.

"[The fans] have made a huge impact, a huge difference but us as players we can’t take the crowd for granted.

"We can’t think the crowd will get us through but we need everyone at 100 per cent whether it is us, the fans. Our performance, the fans react off.

"Hopefully we can get off to a fast start and get them behind us on another special Anfield night."

Robertson also demanded his team-mates keep cool heads against a street-wise Atletico side who hold the lead from the first leg.

Sadio Mane was substituted by Jurgen Klopp at half time in the Wanda Metropolitano due to fear of a sending off and Robertson says while some theatrics will inevitably frustrate, the Reds need to stay calm.

"We have experience of coming up against them," he added. "Over there I felt we dealt with it pretty well.

"It is frustrating at times but it is not going to change. It is up to the referee to deal with it.

"We can’t get annoyed at things we can’t control. If we do that it gives us the best chance to perform at the highest level. Hopefully we can stay calm and create chances.

"We think of all outcomes. We did that when we were playing against the teams over the last two years. It is a knockout competition and if you are not at your best you go out.

"We know tomorrow night we could be out of the CL but we think of the positives and trying to give 100 percent performance. If we go out knowing we have given it our all, that is all you can do."

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