Cash Boyle discusses Liverpool’s Champions League quarterfinal opponents with the draw set to take place later today in Switzerland.
In mere hours, Liverpool will discover who they face in the last eight of the Champions League. This sense of anticipation hasn’t been felt by fans since the 2008/2009 season – the same year the Reds last featured in the competition.
Yet this isn’t a nervous anticipation. The feeling is of sheer excitement, as Liverpool are finally back at the top table. We’re part of the discussion in terms of being an elite team, and (with a couple of notable exceptions), we will go toe to toe with another in the next round of Europe’s elite competition.
Attention will turn to UEFA headquarters in Nyon at midday as we await our fate.
In terms of the make-up of the final eight, Spain dominates with three representatives, Italy offers two (as do England) and Germany take the final spot. We all know who these teams are, but who do we want and why?
I’ll offer three different options (for variety).
The easiest draw
Roma undoubtedly serve as the “easiest” draw. Firstly, history doesn’t favour the Italian club; they have only ever appeared in three quarterfinals, losing two of them. Their last appearance was the season prior to ours (2007/2008), which they lost to Manchester United. Their lack of pedigree is a historical reason to favour this draw.
As things stand currently, Roma are only in the quarterfinals because of the infamous away goals rule. While they must be credited for topping a group containing Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, they toiled for large parts against Shakhtar Donetsk and have dropped 18 points behind Juventus domestically.
Much-sought-after goalkeeper Alisson has been their breakout star which is indicative of calling upon him too much. He’d surely be tested against this potent Reds team which has scored just over 2.5 times as many goals as Roma in this year’s Champions League (28 to 11).
The revenge draw
Sevilla would present an opportunity to avenge the 2016 Europa League defeat, as well as to succeed where Manchester United so miserably failed. Both prospects are tantalising, particularly coupled with the knowledge that this Sevilla side is fallible.
Across two games this season we have scored 5 goals against the Andalucían side, and the 5 they have scored against us came without Virgil Van Dijk in the team. There is also the argument to suggest that they are the team with which we are the most familiar, which would lessen the learning process for the players and management.
That said, Sevilla will be taking this seriously given that it’s their first appearance at this stage since the 1957/1958 season. Their home ground is an undeniable cauldron, and in Ben Yedder and Banega they have two players who can both orchestrate and punish. Ben Yedder himself has 8 goals in 7 European appearances this season, one more than our top scorer Roberto Firmino.
The marquee draw
Barcelona would present the dream draw for the neutral (and even for some Reds); two teams entrenched in European history that play brilliantly attacking football. Though Barcelona lost in their last quarter league final appearance against Juventus, their pedigree is undoubted – they’ve won 14 out of 19 quarterfinals they have played in. What also can’t be doubted is that they have (arguably) the greatest ever player within their ranks.
I dubbed this the dream draw (even for some Reds), because it’s a popular opinion amongst our fans that we want to play the best of the best, & to have that quintessential European night at Anfield.
Many fans want that even at the expense of a higher calibre of opposition – me included. To have the irrepressible Messi grace the Anfield turf would be symbolic of our return to the highest echelon of football. And remember, we remain one of only 6 teams Lionel has never scored against.
Add to that the return of Luis Suarez to Anfield and the tie oozes glamour and excitement.
I would personally love the opportunity to play Barcelona, and to acquit ourselves in a manner that says “you may keep pilfering our top talent, but we can still compete with you.”
That said, Chelsea played “well” against the Catalan team yet lost 4-1 on aggregate. The fear factor is undeniable.
The Reds
It has been regularly bandied around that “nobody will want to play Liverpool.” I believe this to be true as our attack can be utterly devastating. The counterattacking style imposed by Klopp has taken like a European duck to water, making us top scorers in the competition with 28.
Domestically, Liverpool have been stifled by the intense overuse of pragmatism to achieve a result, yet this hasn’t occurred in the Champions League. Teams have attempted to attack Liverpool and been ruthlessly exposed. The Champions League quarterfinals will not mark the beginning of a new-found defensive approach, which is why Liverpool are right to be optimistic.
My ideal draw would be Roma (notwithstanding the other options I’ve included); with a 4-1 win over two legs in which Salah scores and does celebrate. Roll on the draw, nothing to fear.
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