'Red Issues' updated by Peter Talbot
Last updated : 22 March 2002 By Peter Talbot, Red Issues
I said at the start of the season that if Liverpool qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League, then I fancied our chances of going all the way. And I still stand by that statement. We all know how good we are in knockout competition. The cup success of last year proves that.
The only problem I could see was qualifying from both group stages. The defensive approach, I thought, might not be good enough to get us through. But, with a few hiccups along the way (the defeat against Barcelona and failing to beat Boavista or Galatasaray), we've shown how good a team we really are.
The Roma win also shows that we are not boring. We can turn it on when it really matters, irrespective of the opposition. We made Roma, who had only lost two previous games all season, look average.
We have no-one to fear in the quarters. We will face Real Madrid, Manchester United or Bayer Leverkusen. Having already beaten Manchester United twice this season and Leverkusen in pre-season, we know that we can get through against either of these. And a return to Anfield for Steve McManaman is also appealing.
One thing is for sure, though. All three of Real, United and Leverkusen will be hoping to avoid Liverpool.
Anyone notice how quick Gary Neville and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were to come out and say they would like to face us in the quarters? Sign of nerves, I say! They will be dreading having to face us. We know that we can beat them any day, home or away. Never mind over two legs.
We are 9/1 joint fifth favourites with Barcelona. Well worth a bet, I'd say!
