BT Sport pundits Rio Ferdinand, Glenn Hoddle and Peter Crouch all agree that Liverpool are favourites to win this season’s Champions League after qualifying from their group on Tuesday evening.
Asked about the Reds, ex-Manchester United captain Ferdinand said that the club’s winning mentality under manager Jurgen Klopp could prove decisive in them winning the competition for the second successive year:
“Liverpool just look the most complete team. They have got that mentality now. They were on the cusp of winning for a few years and they got over the line last season.”
“They look like they are going to win the Premier League and they have that mentality that they aren’t going to lose. They know they are going to win.”
Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Hoddle agreed with Ferdinand’s opinion, and while he says Atletico Madrid will go far in the competition, he thinks Liverpool are the team to beat:
“I have a sneaky feeling Atletico Madrid will go through. They are a tough team. Whether they will win it or not, I don’t know. But I can’t see anyone past Liverpool at the moment.”
Ex-Reds striker Crouch, meanwhile, had been tipping Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus at the start of the campaign, but after seeing the teams in action, he is backing his former side to come out on top:
“PSG look good. I had a sneaky suspicion about Juventus at the start of the season but Liverpool for me.”
Liverpool can face one of five teams in the Champions League last 16 after finishing top of their group. They can play Real Madrid, Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon or Atletico Madrid. The draw takes place on Monday.