Any fixture involving Diego Simeone will always have a certain element of spice to it, but there seems to be a real rivalry brewing between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.
The pair played out a thrilling and often pointed Champions League tie in 2020, while their group stage meeting a couple of weeks ago had plenty of thrills and spills of its own. That included on the sideline, where Jurgen Klopp was a bit miffed that his Argentine counterpart did not shake his hand after the game.
He said on that occasion that while he did overreact at the time, he expects the two will share a handshake at Anfield in the return fixture. That may be the case before the game, but it won't be happening after the final whistle.
Diego Simeone is not a fan of post-match handshakes
Speaking ahead of the game, Diego Simeone confirmed that he would once again be avoiding a post-match handshake with Klopp as he is not a fan of the practice:
I don't like the greeting after the match because they are the emotions of two sides in different emotional minds.
I know in the UK it is a custom but I don't share it and I don't like the falseness it may include.
I don't know Klopp as a person very well but I know he is a great coach who has done great work at every club he has been at.
I don't give an opinion on other teams, we are coaches and we all have to respect that.
If it's not your thing, then fair enough.
As for Klopp, he said admitted his respect for Diego Simeone and said he will not be all that bothered if the pair do not shake hands after tomorrow's game.
I respect him a lot.
We don't know each other but I respect what he is doing at Atletico, absolutely exceptional against strong sides year after year. Really impressive.
The handshake? If I knew he doesn't do it, then I wouldn't try it.
We were both emotional [after the game in Madrid] but now I know he doesn't like to do it, so no problem.
Even if this issue has been put to bed, you can expect to see another feisty encounter between these two sides on Wednesday evening.
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