Liverpool are the only Premier League representative to be drawn against non-Serie A opponents in the first knock-out round of the Champions League, as they come up against La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid.
Former defender Phil Thompson though believes Liverpool can turn the Spanish champs into chumps when they do battle in February.
"It's a tough one because you don't know what they're going to be like in February. If we were playing them now, it would be no problem but things might change," he is quoted by the club's official website as saying.
"Having said that, it's still a game I fancy Liverpool to win. Rafa Benitez will be going home, and remember, Fernando Torres didn't get the opportunity to play against Atletico - his old team - earlier in the season. So, he'll be really looking forward to going back there and putting one over Real."
Thommo continued: "I think Liverpool will have too much for them in the second leg at Anfield.
"It's a wonderful tie. I remember playing against them in 1981 - the all-whites versus the all-reds." That was in the final, when Liverpool won 1-0.
Because Liverpool topped their group this autumn, while Real finished runners up, the first leg will be contested in Spain on February 24 or 25, while the return leg will be played in England on March 10 or 11.
Former defender Phil Thompson though believes Liverpool can turn the Spanish champs into chumps when they do battle in February.
"It's a tough one because you don't know what they're going to be like in February. If we were playing them now, it would be no problem but things might change," he is quoted by the club's official website as saying.
"Having said that, it's still a game I fancy Liverpool to win. Rafa Benitez will be going home, and remember, Fernando Torres didn't get the opportunity to play against Atletico - his old team - earlier in the season. So, he'll be really looking forward to going back there and putting one over Real."
Thommo continued: "I think Liverpool will have too much for them in the second leg at Anfield.
"It's a wonderful tie. I remember playing against them in 1981 - the all-whites versus the all-reds." That was in the final, when Liverpool won 1-0.
Because Liverpool topped their group this autumn, while Real finished runners up, the first leg will be contested in Spain on February 24 or 25, while the return leg will be played in England on March 10 or 11.
No comments:
Post a Comment