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Liverpool vs Man City: Balague makes important Chelsea claim about Champions League clash
LIVERPOOL have history on their side after being drawn against runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Liverpool vs Man City: Guillem Balague believes history could repeat itself
That is according to Sky Sports’ Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, who believes the Reds are capable of overcoming the odds to reach the last four.
Liverpool are 21 points behind Pep Guardiola’s side in the Premier League table and will be the underdogs when the two sides meet over two legs next month.
But the Reds knocked Chelsea - the dominant force in English football at the time - out of the Champions League in 2005 thanks to Luis Garcia’s ‘ghost goal’ and Balague believes history could repeat itself.
“The Liverpool-City tie reminds me of the infamous Liverpool-Chelsea tie in 2005,” Balague said on Sky Sports.
“A staggering 33 points separated them when they played the second leg in Anfield and Chelsea were viewed as favourites, but they went out.
It’s two completely different ways of playing the game and should be fascinating for the neutral
“But let’s see how Manchester City arrive at the tie, they may be tired.
“City should be favourites but Liverpool at Anfield may well play it’s part.
“It’s two completely different ways of playing the game and should be fascinating for the neutral.”
Luis Garcia celebrates his 'ghost goal' against Chelsea
The Reds and City both have derby games sandwiched between their Champions League commitments.
Jurgen Klopp’s side face Everton on Sunday, April 8 while Guardiola’s men host Manchester United on Saturday, April 7.
Elsewhere in the draw, Barcelona were handed a tie against Roma, Juventus face Real Madrid while Sevilla play Bayern Munich.