Saturday, December 20, 2008

Steve McManaman: Liverpool Are The Favourites Against Madrid

Former ‘Reds’ and ‘Whites’ winger Steve McManaman believes that Liverpool are the favourites to beat Real Madrid at the moment based on current form.

Real Madrid will square off against Liverpool in one of the many mouth-watering clashes in the last 16 of the Champions League, following yesterday’s draw by UEFA in Nyon.

One player who has authority to speak on behalf of both clubs is former Reds and Los Blancos winger, Steve McManaman. And the retired 36-year-old did not hesitate to pin-point the weak and strong attributes of the two sides who have won the European Cup/Champions League 14 times between them.

“Right now, Liverpool are the favourites. They only need a goal at the Bernabeu, just one, and they normally score on the road,” he told Radio Marca during a phone interview.

“This year, Liverpool are better away than they are at home and this is very crucial.

“But for me, the most important factor is whether or not Real Madrid will be free of injuries. If they can have a strong team [by February] then I don’t know, because Madrid have a very important history in the Champions League.

“In February, I believe the two teams will be more balanced, but now Liverpool are favourites. But at the moment, they are not playing very well, either because Fernando Torres is injured or Liverpool need Torres,” concluded McManaman.

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