Liverpool face Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16 this evening at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Paul Merson has made his prediction
Liverpool have “no chance” of overturning their first-leg deficit and knocking Real Madrid out of the Champions League, according to Paul Merson.
The Reds face the Spanish giants in the second leg of their last-16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu Thursday evening. Liverpool were defeated 5-2 in the rematch three weeks ago, leaving them with a mountain to climb to reach the quarter-finals.
Jürgen Klopp’s team notably overcome a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona to reach the Champions League final in 2019. The Reds won 4-0 at Anfield, but the second leg will be played away from home.
Merson believes that Liverpool’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth last weekend is cause for concern. Nevertheless, in his prediction for the match against Real Madrid, the former Arsenal great gave the Reds little chance of progressing to the next round.
“Managers and players must maintain their composure,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Liverpool had a terrific victory against Manchester United that will put them in the history books but then you’ve got to turn up and produce at Bournemouth.
“When you watch the Bournemouth game, you wonder, ‘What chance do Liverpool have against Real Madrid?'” That would be one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time if they could score three goals or more.
“Barcelona did it against PSG, but at home. This is for the cup holders. You never know if it was two or three goals, but three… I don’t give them a chance.”
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