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The Champions League looks very different from the last time Anfield hosted it.
In March, a packed house provided a thunderous backdrop for a full-throttle performance of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool when they were unfairly knocked out by Atlético Madrid.
Two hundred and thirty days after that game, the fans are still at home, the atmosphere has disappeared and the prestige that this competition is so proud to offer has significantly diminished.
However, those are factors beyond Liverpool’s control. All they can do at this stage is keep winning the games that they are asked to play.
So the work was done here against FC Mitdjylland as the Reds clinched back-to-back victories in Group D to further stake their claims for a fourth straight chance in the knockout stages.
It is almost unnoticed that Klopp has brought Liverpool back to the top of European football in the last five years.
* If you want more reaction, including Jurgen Klopp’s press conference, watch the post-game podcast HERE.
Before their arrival in 2015, they hadn’t been to the last kingdoms of this tournament in over half a decade, and the 2009 quarter-final appearance was their deepest fodder in a competition they have now won six times.
Now, they are regulars at the Champions League party and while mere qualification for the competition was once considered something to celebrate, the Reds are now required to challenge every year.
Those are the expectations Klopp has to deal with, but the German is comfortable with them as his team continued their quest towards the round of 16 with a routine 2-0 win here.
Goals from Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah did the trick as the Reds battled for control of Group D.
Six points out of six have them ideally positioned at the top as they prepare to travel to Italy for next week’s clash with an adventurous Atalanta held at home against Ajax.
This is the Champions League now; a fast-paced, non-stop competition that is forced to explode through reams of group games in doubly fast time by the readjusted schedule.
After next week’s game in Italy, Liverpool will be in the middle of what is normally a three-month group stage campaign in just two weeks.
The lack of crowds and the dizzying nature of it all leaves Europe’s greatest competition without its traditional pomp and ceremony, but that will likely suit Klopp as he continues to attempt to scale twin peaks at home and abroad.
Before the game, Midtjylland boss Brian Priske and his players opted to take a fall stroll through the city center as a way to prepare for their fiery opponents.
Such sightseeing from a Champions League team would usually draw dozens of spectators in the city of Liverpool, but the Danes would have gone about their business undetected, such was the Reds ‘opponents’ lack of real knowledge.
Even Klopp was prompted to bring it up at his press conference on Monday when he urged Danish journalists on Zoom’s call to abandon the inferiority complex and minnow vision of the team they were supposed to observe at Anfield.
“You Danes need to work on your confidence!” Klopp said before stating that he was fully aware of the threat his team would face.
“I’ve seen a lot of their games, so I’m in the picture. They are really good.”
However, it is not in the nature of Klopp or his team to underestimate, so the young club with unwavering dedication to data analysis would never be seen as the Group D scapegoat by the Reds.
Klopp’s team simply has too much time to indulge in such complacency at this stage of their journey, even if their team selection hinted that bigger challenges await.
Despite Klopp’s protests about the quality of the Danish champions, the Reds boss was still emboldened to make four changes in total, including a day off for the three famous forwards.
In their place were Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi as Klopp maintained their 4-2-3-1 formation that hurt Sheffield United on Saturday.
The only noticeable highlight, or should it be in low light? – From the first severe time was the vision of Fabinho limping.
At a time when central defense options are stretched to breaking point, Klopp cannot afford to be without another, even with someone who has been forced to become a de facto one due to injuries from Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip.
Rhys Williams came in, delivering a confident demonstration you can be proud of.
It could still be a huge couple of months for the 19-year-old at Anfield.
Such was the shortage of the first 45 minutes that it marked the first time Liverpool failed to register a single shot on goal in the first half in 51 home games in all competitions.
The second half marked the end of the night for Jordan Henderson as well as Gini Wijnaldum came in in his place.
A pre-planned substitution was the merciful explanation.
The Reds had the lead in the 10th minute of the second period when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Shaqiri teamed up excellently to give Diogo Jota the easiest of interventions for Liverpool’s 10,000th goal.
Klopp got close to the big shots as Salah and Mane replaced the ineffective duo of Origi and Minamino at the hour mark before Firmino replaced scorer Jota in the final 10 minutes.
* Who was your MOTM tonight? Cast your vote in our quick poll.
After either side rejected the big opportunities, Salah took the belt from 12 yards when Paulinho brought him down inside the penalty area.
The Champions League, regardless of how it paints itself, is not always dazzling with its glitz and glamor.
To get to those stages, hard work and routines must be done in good faith during the cold months of group stage football.
This Liverpool team, with two final appearances in three seasons written down in their history book, knows this very well.
So while this won’t last long in memory, it has served a larger purpose.
They go to Bergamo.
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