Premier league

The Reds face Inter Milan in just over a week’s time a Anfield in the second leg of their round of 16 tie and they will be hoping to seal their passage to the quarter-finals, having won their first game 2-0 in Italy.

A 2-0 win at San Siro over Inter Milan soon followed for Liverpool, who did go on to lose 1-0 to the Nerazzurri at home before progressing courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate success.

“Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich are the teams I think can win the trophy, realistically. I’d probably put Chelsea third or fourth. I think Man City and Liverpool are outstanding at the moment, and cup competitions are about the moment, the form they’re in. All of those teams would want Villarreal, Benfica, Atletico, even Real Madrid I don’t think can win it. I’d go Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Atletico, Real Madrid, Villarreal and Benfica.”

Of course, a lot can happen in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are also still in the tournament and there could be a few shocks between now and the final in May. Even so, you’d back the Reds and City to be there or thereabouts.

“If they are not favourites, they should be second. You can make a case for Manchester City but Liverpool’s pedigree over the years suggests that there is nothing between the two sides. Liverpool have had more success than Man City in Europe in recent years, so I would make the case that they are the favourites.”

Press the next page as we list the five leading contenders to win this year’s Champions League.

Considering that Real Madrid, in particular, are not among the top contenders for the Champions League this season, City supporters on Twitter are speculating that Haaland may be listing his potential next clubs instead:

City will certainly face a challenge getting past a stubborn Atletico side while Chelsea will need to be at their best to overcome Real, who knocked out PSG in the last 16. We shall see how things unfold next month.

“There are players that you need in these games and it will be decided depending on who is [available] because the level is very even. This Madrid is almost the same as last season, but it has been reinforced with [David] Alaba and the best Vinicius. But regardless of everything, I’m going with Chelsea.”

Crouch does not rule out reigning champions Chelsea either but he is less convinced about their chances of making it all the way to St Petersburg: