Stuart Pearce has been discussing Liverpool’s Champions League chances.
Liverpool have been in scintillating form of late and seem to have come of age in the second half of the season under Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds look set to secure Champions League football thanks to their Premier League performances but are in the mix to win it too after their memorable 5-1 aggregate victory over Manchester City in the quarter-finals.
Liverpool’s form, style of play and star player Mohamed Salah has earned them plaudits from across the footballing world.
But some still cast doubts over their ability to mount a true challenge at home and abroad.
However, speaking as a guest on Sky Sports’ The Debate, Stuart Pearce disagreed when delivering his own emphatic verdict on Liverpool’s Champions League hopes.
“Yea I think it does (feel like a watershed moment for Klopp and Liverpool),” Pearce told The Debate.
“I think out of the quarter-finals, they look the most impressive team going into the semis personally.
“I think it’s (the win over City) given the football club a massive lift in that they think they can go and probably lift the trophy this year. I think prior to both games against City they probably thought to themselves not a great draw, you never want someone from your own country, especially the form City were on.
“But they beat them twice, they’ve not just got through over two legs they beat them twice and it must give you a massive lift especially when you look around Europe and you think all these teams are conceding goals and we’ve got a team that can score goals.
“I personally would near enough put them in as favourites with what I’m seeing and what I’ve seen over the last couple of nights with what they’re up against.”
Much is made about the draw during the knockout stages with many feeling it is often crucial to play the second leg at home.
But Pearce feels the opposite may be true for Klopp’s side thanks to their style of play and mentality.
“I’ll tell you what might help Liverpool as well, getting drawn at home first,” Pearce added.
“Normally the old saying used to be get drawn away and then the second leg at home ‘we’ll get them at home’, I think the way Liverpool play and the way they play on counter attack they’ll be delighted to go away from home even stevens or their nose in front by one goal because they’ll score on the road because of the way they play.”
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