Liverpool face a tough task to progress from their Champions League last-16 tie with Atletico Madrid judging by their manager Diego Simeone's impressive record in the competition.
The Reds lost the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano 1-0 on Tuesday following an early strike by Saul Niguez, with the return taking place at Anfield on March 11.
Liverpool will remain confident of overcoming their opponents given their sensational comeback against Barcelona last season, when they came back from losing their semi-final first leg 3-0 to win 4-0 at Anfield and progress 4-3 on aggregate.
But as noted by Spanish journalist Alexis Martin-Tamayo, Simeone has an enviable record with Atletico when it comes to taking the lead in the Champions League.
Statistics show that under Simeone the Spanish club have won 25 of the 26 two-legged European ties they have played in which they have won the first leg.
One positive for Liverpool, however, is the fact that the one they did lose occurred as recently as last season, when they were defeated 3-2 by Juventus on aggregate in the last-16 having won their home leg 2-0.
Another curious stat is the fact that in the Champions League under Simeone Atletico have only lost knockout ties to teams with Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad, with the Portuguese star doing the damage once again last season with a hat-trick in Turin to knock Atleti out.
Simeone certainly seemed delighted with his team's display following full-time on Tuesday night, and said he knew his side would win as soon as they arrived at the stadium.
“I think we started winning the game when our bus turned at the roundabout and we saw the reaction of the people," Simeone said. "It enthused us. Something beautiful woke up in us.
“The feeling that came out of the people, the reply of the people, I've rarely seen from our fans at this level. They were there the whole game. It made me want to put my boots on and go on the pitch.
“It was the whole match and the truth is it was exciting… I think the word that comes to me is calm.
“Calm of knowing when you work as a team as group you can do it, the team responded with a great effort.
“It’s not the best night because we’ve not won anything but it was exciting. It was unusual.
“It was a match people won’t forget – to beat the best team in the world, who’ve won a lot of games. We’ve not got past them but we’ve beaten them because in a match everyone has a chance.”
