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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Mark Wakefield

Paul Merson delivers blunt Real Madrid vs Liverpool prediction

Paul Merson says that Liverpool have “no chance” of overcoming the first leg deficit to knock Real Madrid out of the Champions League.

The Reds take on the Spanish giants in the second leg of their last-16 tie this evening at the Santiago Bernabeu. Liverpool suffered a 5-2 defeat in the reverse fixture three weeks ago, leaving a mountain to climb to reach the quarter-final.

Jurgen Klopp's side famously overcame a 3-0 deficit in 2019 against Barcelona to reach the final of the Champions League. The Reds won 4-0 at Anfield, but this time they face their second leg away from home.

READ MORE: Full Liverpool squad available to face Real Madrid with two new players ruled out

READ MORE: Liverpool have £422m reasons why Real Madrid cannot be end of Champions League journey

Merson believes that the weekend’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth creates causes for concern for Liverpool And when making his prediction for the clash against Real Madrid, the former Arsenal star did not give the Reds much of a chance of getting through to the next round.

“Managers have to keep level-headed and so do players,” Merson told Sky Sports. “Liverpool had a great result against Manchester United that will put them in the history books but then you've got to turn up and perform at Bournemouth.

“When you watch the Bournemouth game you think, 'what chance have Liverpool got at Real Madrid?' Needing to score three, at least, is a big ask, it would be one of the greatest Champions League comebacks of all time.

“Barcelona did it against PSG but that was at home. This is away at the cup holders. If it was two goals then you never know, but three...I give them no chance.”

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