Thomas Partey admits it will be a ‘dream’ to play at Anfield when Atletico Madrid take on Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The two teams meet in the Champions League last 16 second leg, looking to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Partey has been linked with a move to Liverpool this summer, with the Reds reportedly seeing him as someone who could bolster their midfield options.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Wednesday’s game, with quotes cited by HITC, the Ghana international admitted he couldn’t wait to take to the Anfield turf:
It is a dream for me to play against [Liverpool] at their stadium. I hope it stays forever in my career.
We have to be focused one hundred per cent. We know it will be difficult.
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This is a great chance for Partey to showcase his talents in front of the watching Liverpool faithful, in the pressure situation of a big European night.
The 26-year-old was excellent in the first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano, making five tackles in a strong defensive showing, as well as attempting three shots.
This will more than likely be an even bigger challenge, however, and it will be fascinating to see how he fares up against the likes of Fabinho and Gini Wijnaldum.
While the Reds are expected to have more of the ball at Anfield – Diego Simeone has hinted that his team will defend for much of the evening – they must be wary of Partey’s bursts through the midfield, preventing the visitors from scoring a priceless away goal.
Equally, the Reds’ middle men need to out-muscle him in the attacking third, using guile to bypass both him and Saul Niguez in tight areas.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson could also be used regularly in order to keep him out of the game, with Atletico’s potentially narrow 4-4-2 system likely to allow Liverpool’s full-back pairing time and space on the ball.
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