Liverpool and Man City emerged as winners in their respective Champions League semi-finals first legs. City edged out Real Madrid in a thrilling 4-3 win at the Etihad. Meanwhile, Liverpool took a healthy lead against Villarreal, winning 2-0 at home. However, both Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp refused to rule out the ties. But former Liverpool center-back Jamie Carragher has given his prediction over which club will celebrate with the Champions League trophy in Paris.
Manchester City were helped by goals from De Bruyne, Jesus, Foden, and Bernardo Silva. While Real clinched 3 through a brace from Benzema and a scintillating one from Vinicius. However, the score-line could have been much different should both clubs have produced a better end product. Liverpool on the other hand eased past Villarreal with an own goal from Estupinan and another strike from Sadio Mane.
Carragher while speaking on CBS sports has picked his winner from the remaining four. Carragher outlined that his former club Liverpool has an advantage over Man City in the Champions League. The pundit claimed that the Premier League title race could dent Manchester City’s chances in the European competition.
Carragher feels Liverpool have an edge over Man City
While Man City and Liverpool look clear favorites, the player-turned-pundit has elaborated on the same. Both City and Liverpool are fighting tooth and nail in the Premier League for the title. Liverpool currently sits only one point behind the leaders Manchester City. Jamie Carragher has explained that while City will just make it over the line in the league, Liverpool could win their second Champions League trophy under Klopp.
Carragher told CBS Sports,
“I think Liverpool will win the Champions League. The league I’m not so sure, Manchester City have the slight advantage in that if they win all their games they’ve won the league. This weekend is absolutely vital in terms of the Premier League. That is a tough assignment for Liverpool, the turnaround hours wise the manager has mentioned.”
However, Carragher still has some hopes for the Reds being crowned as the league winner.
“If Liverpool can get through this weekend still being in the same position they’re in with Manchester City I still think they’ve got a great chance with the league but that’s up to Manchester City.”
But he again emphasized that Liverpool can do it all the way in the Champions League over Man City.
“But the Champions League, it feels like it’s Liverpool’s competition and they’ve got one foot in the final and I don’t think anyone else can say that. I think Madrid will go through. When you miss that many chances in the first leg you have got a massive problem. It’s a big standout game.”
We will just have to wait for another week to see how the Liverpool legend’s prediction turns out. Meanwhile, Liverpool faces the resurgent Newcastle United in the league while Man City travels to Leeds before the gigantic second leg against Real Madrid.
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