Didi Hamann names Liverpool as one of the three teams to avoid in the last 16 draw for clubs who finished second in their Champions League groups, via his Sky Germany column.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds topped Group B as one of just three teams to boast a perfect six from six winning record. Ajax and Bayern Munich were also perfect through the first phase of the tournament, as they topped groups C and E ahead of Monday’s round of 16 draw.
Liverpool dominated their group to finish the stage 11-points clear of runners-up Atletico Madrid. Ajax edged Sporting Lisbon by nine, as Borussia Dortmund dropped to the Europa League. Bayern also topped their group by nine, as Barcelona joined BVB in finishing third.
Hamann names Liverpool in Champions League trio to avoid
Hamann feels Liverpool, Bayern and Group A winners Manchester City are now the three teams to watch out for in the Champions League. The former Reds and Der FCB midfielder also names Chelsea as a group stage runner-up who can threaten seeded sides.
“Bayern, Liverpool and Manchester City are the leading forces for me,” Hamann wrote. “As second in the group, I would like to avoid these three teams.
“As for Bayern’s possible opponents in the round of 16 , Chelsea as defending champions would probably be the hardest draw.
“Of course, it would be nice to see Paris Saint-Germain against Bayern again. But I don’t think PSG can pose a threat to them as long as they play up front with [Lionel] Messi, [Kylian] Mbappe and Neymar.
“The three of them have to play, they will play, but it doesn’t work. The win against Man City was an exception because they did something inhuman as a team on the defensive.”
When is the Champions League R16 draw?
Liverpool and Hamann will see who draws who on Monday, December 13 at 11:00 GMT when UEFA do the Champions League last 16 draw from their headquarters in Switzerland.
Klopp’s side could face PSG and their star-studded attack of Messi, Mbappe and Neymar. Inter Milan, Sporting, Benfica, Villarreal and RB Salzburg are also possible opponents.
The Anfield natives cannot draw Chelsea, who Hamann lists as a threat to Bayern from the unseeded sides. Teams cannot face those from their group or from the same country yet.
Liverpool could meet Chelsea, Bayern or Manchester City in the quarter-finals, however. There are no seedings or country protection beyond the round of 16, with first-legs to be held on February 15/16/22/23. Quarter-final second-legs will occur on March 8/9/15 or 16.
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