Real Madrid
The Spanish giants fought off Paris Saint Germain both home and away with dominant displays. The last time the Reds faced the twelve times winners of this competition was back in the Group stage in 2014, with Madrid coming out on top in both matches. These two teams have faced each other five times in this competition, the first being back in 1981 when the Reds beat them in the European Cup final thanks to a goal by Alan Kennedy. Another memorable win would be the 4-0 demolishing of them in the knockout stages back in 2009 with goals from Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel.
They are one of the best sides in the world and the current holders of the trophy after beating Juventus 4-1 in the final last year. Liverpool would relish another opportunity to face Zinedine Zidane’s side and I wouldn’t be surprised if we faced them at some point in the competition.
Bayern Munich
They have not qualified for the Quarter-final stages yet but they are leading Turkish side Besiktas 5-0, so they are more than likely going through.
The Reds last faced the German side in this competition back in 1981 during the semi-finals, with Liverpool going through to the final thanks to an away goal by Ray Kennedy. Munich finished in top spot in the Bundesliga last season and with players like Robert Lewandowski, Frank Ribery and Manuel Neuer it is no surprise that they have been dominating for a number of years.
We faced them in the Audi Cup during the summer of 2017 and beat them 3-0 but obviously that was a very different environment compared to the Quarter-final of the Champions’ League, but if you beat them once you can beat them again.
Chelsea
Again, should be an interesting game for Chelsea tonight travelling to the Nou Camp to face Barcelona.
Liverpool last met Chelsea in this competition back in 2009 when we faced them in the Quarter-finals,12 goals were scored over the two legs but Chelsea progressed to the semi-final. There has been some great games between these two over the years and the most memorable one being back in 2005 when the Reds beat Jose Mourinho’s side 1-0 with Luis Garcia’s ???Ghost goal’ being the different over the two legs and sending Liverpool to the final of the Champions league, we ended up winning the trophy beating AC Milan on penalties and to this day there are still arguments over whether Garcia’s goal crossed the line.
We are capable of beating Chelsea so if they were to overcome Barcelona tonight, I would mid us being drawn against them on Friday.
Barcelona
This will be an interesting game tonight between Chelsea and Barcelona with the score currently tied at 1-1.
The Reds saw off the Catalonia side back in 2007 after they beat them 2-1 at the Nou camp thanks to goals from Craig Bellamy and John Arne Riise. The two sides have faced each other four times in this competition with that game being the only win for the Reds out of the four. Currently in pole position in La Liga I wouldn’t like to draw them if they got through to the Quarters, if they overcome Chelsea tonight I think they are favourites to win the trophy and they aren’t short of talent with players like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Andres Iniesta in their squad.
Sevilla
These two sides have only met each other once during this competition and it came during the group stages of this year. Previous matches between Sevilla and Liverpool prove that they love playing against each other with a total of 10 goals being scored across the two games.
Sevilla finished 4th in La Liga last year and went through the qualifying rounds, same as Liverpool, and beat Istanbul Basaksehir 4-3 over the two legs. They are not shy of a big occasion having been Europa League winners in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and after overcoming Jose Mourinhos Manchester United side 2-1 at Old Trafford last night, they will fancy themselves against anyone in the next round.
I would like to face them in the Quarter-finals simply because we were the better side across the two legs when we faced them during the group stages and we also owe them after they beat us in the Europa League final in 2016.
Roma
Beating Shaktar Donetsk by the skin of their teeth in Ukraine, Roma are still a quality side. They currently sit third in Serie A but have a large gap between them and the top two with a total of 14 points the difference.
Liverpool have faced Roma three times in this competition with the first being back in 1984 when Liverpool beat them on their home turf in the European Cup Final after winning 4-2 on penalties.
It would be a chance for a reunion for Mo Salah and also an opportunity to look at Liverpool target Alisson and see how he performs. Out of all the teams left in the competition, Roma would be one of the easiest to face.
Article by Lauren Black
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