Manchester City more dangerous to Liverpool than Barcelona or Real Madrid, says Phil Thompson
Phil Thompson has explained why he would feel more comfortable for Liverpool to play Barcelona or Real Madrid with a three-goal lead than Manchester City.
First-half goals from Mohamed Salah, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane saw Liverpool take a firm grip on their Champions League quarter-final at Anfield last week.
Pep Guardiolas City, who are on the verge of winning the Premier League title, were completely outplayed and must overturn a three-goal deficit to reach the semi-finals.
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Despite Liverpools dominance in the first leg, club legend Thompson is wary of Citys attacking threat and says he would rather face Barcelona, Real or Bayern Munich with a three-goal cushion.
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He told Sky Sports: Liverpool have to score because my worry is that if we can score three goals in 45 minutes, with the qualities that they have shown all season, then they can do the same.
It is incredible that you can be 3-0 up and be nervous as hell, but I would feel more comfortable against Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich with a 3-0 lead.
They had numerous chances to finish United off in the first half on Saturday and I cant see them being that wasteful again, so this tie is definitely not over.
However, I dont think they will be able to score five. People will say they did it before against us, but that was against 10 men. City have the capability to score three, but Liverpool also have ability to not only score once, but twice.
Liverpool sensation Salah took his goal tally for the season to 38 in the first leg at Anfield but then hobbled off with a suspected groin injury.
The Egypt forward looks to have given Jurgen Klopp a major boost ahead of the trip to the Etihad on Tuesday, however, after training with his teammates on Monday afternoon.
I think one of the big things is Salah has to play and having that three-pronged attack gives us that edge, Thompson added.
If were missing a player who has scored almost 40 goals then that is obviously going to be a blow. You will always miss that so it imperative that he plays.
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Because of the Chelsea result on Sunday, it would take a massive implosion not to qualify for the Champions League, so I think as long as he is feeling like he wants to play, Id say lets go for it.
I think youve got to be a little more concerned without him, but this is not a one-man team. Yes our forward players have been our main men, but in the first leg it was the three midfielders who took the initiative.
MORE: Mohamed Salah trains with Liverpool to boost Man City appearance hopes
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