Jerzy Dudek believes Liverpool's Champions League draw against Bayer Leverkusen pitches them against the best side in Germany.
Liverpool managed to avoid a last-eight clash with Manchester United, Barcelona or Real Madrid and face the seemingly more straightforward prospect of Leverkusen over two legs.
But Dudek has personal experience of the German side from his time in Holland - and believes they are in for a tough test.
He said: "I played against Bayer Leverkusen when I was at Feyenoord.
"It was only a friendly match but I could see that they are a very good side. In fact, I think they are the best footballing side in the German league."
Dudek admitted, however, that the draw could have worked out worse for them.
He conceded: "They have some very good players but if you look at the three teams we could have drawn, I would say it hasn't worked out too bad for us.
"No-one should think we have been given an easy draw though because this is a team who beat Deportivo to qualify.
"I know quite a lot about Bayer Leverkusen and I know they have had an excellent season so far.
"They are a football club with a lot of ambition and they will want to progress through to the semi-finals just as much as we do.
"We'll need to be excellent in both legs if we want to qualify," he added on the club's official website.