Former Germany international and Bayern Munich legend, Lothar Matthäus, has backed Liverpool to win the Champions league this season after eliminating his former club.
Matthäus had previously counselled caution for the Bavarians against the potency of our attack in the second-leg, but a 3-1 aggregate victory at the Allianz Arena in March saw us march into the last eight.
Speaking to Goal, the winner of the 1991 FIFA World Player of the Year does not share the belief that German football has lost pace with its European competitors. “Other countries have had dry stretches and our teams have met strong opponents in the round of 16,” he said in defence.
“Last year Bayern had Besiktas, this time Liverpool, my personal favourite for the title.”
German legend Lother Matthaus: “Last year Bayern had Besiktas (in CL last 16), this time Liverpool, my personal favourite for the title. Bayern did not deserve to progress through both games.” #LFC
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) April 3, 2019
Bayern Munich legend, Lothar Matthaus: “Liverpool have been my favourites from the start, and I don’t like to change my mind. After reaching last year’s final, they’re ready to win it. They have the most complete team.” 🔴💪
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) February 6, 2019
The German believes we can go all the way in the competition. We always thought that too, but, for some, it takes an emphatic defeat in their own backyard to convince them we can do it.
Our win over Bayern was not just a flattening of the Bundesliga giants, it was an assertive insistence of the relative gulf in class between us.
“Bayern did not deserve to progress through both games,” he rightfully stated. “You do not expect so much from Schalke anyway, considering their Bundesliga results this season.
“They played above their standards last season when they became runners-up.
“Dortmund had a good first half against Tottenham both in the first leg and in the second leg. That’s not enough at this level. If you want to progress against a top team, you have to produce a top performance in both games over 90 minutes.”
Matthäus also claimed that Bayern will strengthen in the summer having already signed France international defenders Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Pavard.
He believes “there will also be something in attack,” suggesting that reported Liverpool target “Timo Werner is a candidate who can play in many positions”.
Liverpool could win the CL with this run…
Group:
• Red Star Belgrade
• PSG
• NapoliRound of 16:
• BayernQuarter-final:
• PortoSemi-final:
• BarcelonaFinal:
• JuventusAdrian Durham on TalkSPORT:
“LiVeRPoOl ArE AlWaYs sO LuCkY”— Señor (@EnRouteAnfield) March 19, 2019
With four Premier League teams in the Champions League for the first time in a decade, Bayern are still lacking a few more additions to compete with the likes of the Reds and other strong sides from European football’s top leagues.
With a favourable tie against Porto at home on Tuesday, Jürgen Klopp’s men will look to repeat last season’s first-leg demolishing of the Portuguese side and establish a foothold in the semi-finals.
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