‘In two legs, Liverpool can beat any team in the world’: Xabi Alonso backs his former side to knock out Barcelona and win the Champions League after suffering defeat in last year’s final
- Liverpool face Barcelona in the Champions League semis after beating Porto
- Xabi Alonso believes Jurgen Klopp’s men have even more desire than last year
- The Reds were beaten by Real Madrid in 2018 but Alonso says they can win it
- Ex-Liverpool midfielder says his old club and Man City both deserve the title
Xabi Alonso believes last year’s Champions League final heartbreak can inspire Liverpool to go all the way in Europe this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s men were beaten 3-1 by Real Madrid in Kiev 11 months ago, but they have bounced back in style to set up a mouthwatering semi-final with Barcelona this time around.
Alonso won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and sees no reason why the current crop can’t get past Lionel Messi and Co and do the same.
Xabi Alonso (left) and Clarence Seedorf hold the Champions League trophy during Heineken’s Champions League Trophy Tour visit to Shanghai last week
Alonso believes Liverpool can go all the way and win the Champions League this season
Asked whether his old side could go one better this season, Alonso told Sportsmail: ‘Yeah, why not? They have the experience after what they went through last year.
‘They have the hunger, the desire even more because of the defeat in the last final.
‘That can play a big role. In two legs, Liverpool can beat any team in the world.’
Speaking during Heineken’s recent Champions League Trophy Tour visit to China, the former Spain midfielder also revealed the key reasons he thinks his old club are now challenging at home and in Europe.
‘It’s not about individuals,’ he said. ‘The good thing about Liverpool is that for the last two or three years they have built a team and built an idea.
‘That’s why they are having that consistency and they are being regular, because whoever plays – Naby Keita, (Adam) Lallana or (Daniel) Sturridge – they do not have just 11 players, they have 14, 15 players that they can play any game and that’s the biggest reassurance for the manager.
Alonso laughs with former Real Madrid star Luis Figo during Heineken’s recent visit to China
‘I think it’s a great team and that’s the main thing. The manager, Jurgen Klopp, is doing an unbelievable job. I really admire him and respect what he’s doing so far.’
Liverpool remain in the hunt for their first Premier League title too and Alonso admits that Klopp’s men and Manchester City both deserve to get their hands on the trophy.
‘They can (finish above City). But so far it’s been a fantastic Premier League. It’s a race that we are really enjoying.
‘It’s so difficult not to drop points at this stage but they are managing to go with good situations and they are in the Champions League too and that makes it even harder.
Alonso says Jurgen Klopp has done an ‘unbelievable job’ since taking charge at Anfield
‘Whatever happens, both should be champions and could be champions because they are doing a great season. Hopefully it will be the Reds, but we’ll see.’
This year’s Champions League final will be played in Madrid, but Alonso believes it is important to take the trophy around the world after visiting Shanghai last week.
‘The competition is played in Europe, but it’s followed worldwide,’ he added. ‘In China, there are so many supporters and fans of different teams.
‘To get close to them (is important) because they feel the same passion. They follow as intensely as the fans who are really close, so it’s great for us and for them to have that feeling here in Shanghai.’
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