Former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger Steve McManaman has tipped the Reds to triumph in their Champions League tie with Los Merengues.
The retired 36-year-old left Anfield on a free transfer in 1999 and moved to the Bernabéu where he won two Champions League titles with the Spanish giants.
Real will square off against Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.
"I think the fact that Liverpool are playing at home in the second leg will give them a slight advantage," he said. "They only need a goal at the Bernabéu, just one, and they normally score on the road.
"This year, Liverpool are better away than they are at home and this is very crucial.
"You know how Liverpool are going to go. They're not going to try to overrun Madrid, they'll go over there and play very defensively like they did against Atlético Madrid. They'll sit and wait for Madrid to push men forward - like they certainly will at home - and hope to nick a goal.
"They'll play one up front - presumably that will be Fernando Torres if he's fit and well - he's the nemesis of the opposition. They hated him when he was at Atlético so it's got all the makings of a great game.
"But for me, the most important factor is whether or not 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."
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The retired 36-year-old left Anfield on a free transfer in 1999 and moved to the Bernabéu where he won two Champions League titles with the Spanish giants.
Real will square off against Liverpool in the last 16 of the Champions League.
"I think the fact that Liverpool are playing at home in the second leg will give them a slight advantage," he said. "They only need a goal at the Bernabéu, just one, and they normally score on the road.
"This year, Liverpool are better away than they are at home and this is very crucial.
"You know how Liverpool are going to go. They're not going to try to overrun Madrid, they'll go over there and play very defensively like they did against Atlético Madrid. They'll sit and wait for Madrid to push men forward - like they certainly will at home - and hope to nick a goal.
"They'll play one up front - presumably that will be Fernando Torres if he's fit and well - he's the nemesis of the opposition. They hated him when he was at Atlético so it's got all the makings of a great game.
"But for me, the most important factor is whether or not 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."
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Related links:
Team
Personal
Also see:
