Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola claims that Liverpool are one of three teams who could prevent Real Madrid from lifting their 16th European Cup this season.

The Cityzens lost 3-1 in the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, bowing out of the competition 6-3 on aggregate, and Guardiola said that the Reds, Barcelona and PSG are the only clubs with a real chance of stopping the Spanish giants from going all the way once again:

“Of course, Madrid are a contender, definitely. But there are other good teams around. It will be an interesting Champions League season. Madrid are always favourites for this trophy. There are other teams who are having a very good season but Madrid are always favourites.”

“But there are other teams that are playing very well. Liverpool are having a really good season up until now, Barcelona are amazing, Paris Saint-Germain, with my friend Luis [Enrique] in charge, are on the march. But obviously, Madrid are favourites.”

Who are the favourites to win the Champions League?

The bookies concur with Guardiola in that they have made Real the leading contenders for the tournament, with Liverpool and Barcelona just behind them in the odds.

Arsenal remain 4th favourites with the bookmakers, while PSG are currently sixth among the runners and riders.

Liverpool will discover their round of 16 opponents soon

Due to the nature of the draw, the Reds know that they will face either PSG or Benfica in the next round of the competition. Arne Slot‘s side will find out who they have got for certain on Friday morning.

The two legs for the last 16 will take place at the beginning of next month, with the first game scheduled for the 4th/5th March between Liverpool’s league fixtures against Newcastle and Southampton. The second leg is played on 11th/12th March before the Carabao Cup final.