In this first collaboration between our resident tactics expert Michael Cox and our new football analytics writer Tom Worville, they analyse the fortunes of Liverpool’s Champions League opponents



Jurgen Klopp’s first meeting with Diego Simeone has been a long time coming.



Around a decade ago, it was impossible to escape the similarities between the two — they were up-and-coming, larger-than-life managers who had inspired their sides, Borussia Dortmund and Atletico Madrid, to new heights.



Klopp led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles, then was defeated by old rivals Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Simeone took Atletico to La Liga glory, then was defeated by old rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League final. Twice.



Klopp and Simeone exuded the same energy. They couldn’t sign ready-made superstars like their domestic rivals — and the superstars they created often jumped ship — but they compensated with...