Jamie Carragher has backed a Champions League round-of 16 tie against FC Porto as his ideal draw.
Liverpool qualified for the knockout stages with last week's 3-0 win at Ajax, but despite a fifth consecutive group stage victory against Napoli on Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp's side were unable to turnaround the four-goal deficit and finished second in Group A. The Reds now face the prospect of a tough first knockout round, with Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Benfica, Porto and Club Brugge all possible opponents - UEFA Rules state they cannot face domestic opponents in Tottenham, Manchester City or Chelsea.
Reds fans will no doubt want to avoid a repeat of last season's final against Madrid, while a draw against Bayern Munich will bring with it equal pessimism - not least for the return of Sadio Mane, sold last summer and flying in Germany. And speaking after the final places were confirmed last night, former Liverpool captain Carragher believes the Reds recent wins over Porto would give them a 'psychological edge'.
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Asked to pick his ideal round-of-16 opponent from the five possible options, Carragher said: "I would want Liverpool to play Porto. We’ve played them a few times in the past and I think psychologically we always seem to have the edge on them.
"I think Liverpool will be a difficult proposition for anybody after Christmas. They're not at the races right now but I think we'll see Liverpool back to their best."
Portuguese side Benfica were able to dramatically take top-spot from Paris Saint-Germain, with their 6-1 thrashing of Maccabi Haifa giving them more away goals scored throughout the group - the last deciding factor with the pair level on points, equal in their head-to-head and level on goals scored, conceded, and thus goal difference.
And Carragher, asked before the games kicked off whether he would prefer Benfica or PSG said: "Benfica. The reason you would rather have Benfica is because the individual quality of Mbappe, Neymar and Messi can just take the game away from you, that's how special this front three are.
"So I'd rather Benfica win the group and then Liverpool can maybe get them in the next round. But I know that if Liverpool do get them and then go out this will go viral!"
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