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Lionel Messi says Liverpool are in a strong position to win this season’s Champions League. The Argentine shared his thoughts in an interview with Marca at his new home in Paris.
The forward is expected to line out for French giants PSG against Manchester City on Wednesday evening, when the two clubs come face to face at the Etihad in a tight group.
🏟🤩 Leo Messi #MCIPSG pic.twitter.com/Ew4Z66xxnQ
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) November 23, 2021
City currently top Group A. But Pep Guardiola’s side are just one point ahead of Mauricio Pochettino’s men. The Ligue 1 club have eight points from their four matches, and currently occupy second spot.
The Premier League outfit have lost just one of their group matches so far. And that was in the first meeting with PSG in Paris. The hosts ran out 2-0 winners back in September. Messi scored the second goal of the night in the French capital.
It is Liverpool, however, who he thinks are looking the strongest in the competition this season. The Reds have won their opening four matches of the group stage for the first time ever. That sensational run has helped them become the only club to go into matchday five guaranteed to be group winners.
A real team effort has fired Liverpool to top spot. But the forwards have been in particularly fine form. The Merseyside outfit have scored 13 goals, two more than their three group stage opponents combined.
Messi backs Liverpool for European success
Such form has led Messi to believe that Liverpool are the ones to watch in Europe. When asked which clubs are candidates to lift this season’s trophy, the Argentine replied: “Now, Liverpool are doing very well. They are again [looking like] the Liverpool that won the Champions League.”
There are, however, a handful of other teams in contention, according to the PSG star.
“Then there are Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid,” he added. “There are many teams that can fight for the Champions League, which is one of the most even and competitive in recent years because there are several teams that could win it.”
Argentine shares Mbappe insight
The winger was also quizzed about his PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe. The France international has been in phenomenal form once again this season.
He boasts seven goals and seven assists from 13 Ligue 1 matches. Mbappe also has one goal and five assists in four Champions League games. Liverpool and Real Madrid have been linked with the 22-year-old in recent times.
When questioned whether the French star will be a Madrid player this time next season, Messi replied: “The truth is I do not know. Only he knows what he has in his head and what he is going to do.
“I can only say that I am happy that he has stayed here this year. He is a very important player for us and to fight for the objectives we have. He is fully focused on our goals. And then he will decide what he will do when the season is over.”
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