Thursday, March 13, 2008

Vieira: Experience Key For Reds

Former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira believes Liverpool's Champions League experience makes them the team the others will want to avoid when the quarter-final draw is made in Nyon on Friday.

Vieira was in the Inter Milan side that went out 3-0 on aggregate to the Reds in the last 16 and he has tipped them to regain the trophy they won in May 2005 with a thrilling defeat of Inter's city rivals, AC Milan.

Liverpool became the fourth English side to reach the quarter-finals with their 1-0 win in Milan on Tuesday but are less fancied than Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea.

However, Vieira believes they are well equipped to succeed - although he hopes Arsenal will go on to win.

He told the Daily Express: "Liverpool were tough opponents and they can go on to win it now.

"They have done it before and know exactly what it is about at this stage. They know how to get through these ties as they showed against us and they know how to win the cup.

"They are the side the others will want to avoid now but I hope Arsenal win it.

"They have been waiting a long time to win this trophy and they deserve to win it. We came very close a couple of seasons ago and I hope this is their year.

"I watched them in the San Siro last week and they were incredible.

"In terms of quality they have an outstanding chance now and I really hope they do it."

Vieira is also not surprised by the presence of four English clubs in the last eight, saying: "It shows how good the Premier League is right now.

"It's a remarkable achievement to get four teams in the last eight but it is not really a surprise.

"The quality is there - Arsenal and Manchester United have shown the ability they have, Chelsea are very strong and Liverpool have the track record in Europe."

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