Liverpool are hoping for another famous Champions League night when Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich travel to Anfield.
Lothar Matthaus has backed Liverpool to swat aside his former club Bayern Munich in the Champions League round of 16, while speaking to the Sun.
In arguably the tie of the round, former Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp is set to renew acquaintances with the Bundesliga champions at Anfield, with the Reds hoping to replicate last season’s thrilling run to the final in Kiev.
While Bayern have been a formidable opponent in recent times, they have struggled for form and identity since Niko Kovac took over last summer.
They are second behind Dortmund in the table while the likes of Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer and co have looked a shadow of their former world-class selves.
As a result, the typically outspoken Matthaus believes Liverpool are going into the tie as clear favourites.
“For me, Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. They are my favourites for the Champions League – not City, PSG, Real or Barcelona,” said the 1990 Ballon D’Or winner.
“It’s terrible to play against a team when they come at you so strong, with and without the ball, so Bayern know they must find a way to cope with that.
“You know I am a Bayern Munich man. I am happy when Bayern win. But when I am talking as an expert, a pundit, I think Liverpool are stronger. [I predict] Liverpool 3-1 Bayern Munich.”
Bayern might not have been anywhere near their best in recent months but they still have Robert Lewandowski, one of the world’s elite centre-forwards.
And the prolific Poland international is set to come up against a Liverpool side without their defensive talisman, the suspended Virgil van Dijk.
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