Gremio President: Liverpool Not As Scary As Real Madrid

Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images

The Brazilian club, apparently, think they have a chance against Liverpool in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Teams should really learn their lesson about underestimating Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool these days. Since our return to European football, we’ve heard players, managers, and owners either diminish the club or Anfield, only for their words to come back and bite them later.

We can now add another name to the growing list of folks who decided it would be smart to talk some shit about Liverpool, president of Brazilian club Gremio, Romildo Bolzan Junior.

“The favourites tend to be European teams, always,” Bolzan said in an interview. “I’m sure Liverpool scare less than the Real Madrid we faced. Liverpool are a team that can be beaten.

“For us, for Flamengo, for Boca, for River. Real Madrid were a galactic team, full of stars.”

It’s funny that Liverpool, as a “team that can be beaten” has lost very few matches in the last year and change. Since losing away to Chelsea in May of 2018, the Reds have lost fewer league matches than they have been to Champions League finals.

Whereas Liverpool, who have had one league loss since May 6, 2018, Real Madrid lost a whopping 12 times in La Liga last year, and have just 5 points from 3 league matches so far this campaign. They also lost last year’s UEFA Super Cup, and of course lost to Ajax, 5-3 on aggregate, in the Round of 16 of the Champions League.

But they have stars or something.

Perhaps Bolzan and Germio should worry less about who they might face in the FIFA Club World Cup, and instead worry about actually qualifying for it. Germio face a difficult two-legged semifinal next month against Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores, and (if they pass that test) the winner of River Plate and Boca Juniors in the Final.

Of course, Bolzan’s comments must be read in the context of common South American sentiments toward the two Spanish Giants and English football in general. I guess Liverpool will just have to continue showing the world that they don’t just belong in the same breath as Real Madrid and Barcelona, but are a force to deal with in their own right.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com