Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has labelled Liverpool as “the worst possible draw” for the Bundesliga side in the Champions League ahead of next month’s Round of 16 clash.
The German champions travel to Anfield for the first leg on February 19 before the reverse fixture at the Allianz Arena on March 13.
Are Liverpool Bayern’s “worst possible” opponents? Five things to know…
- Other teams Bayern could have drawn include Manchester United, Atletico Madrid, Lyon, Spurs and Roma.
- Liverpool are currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League and reached the Champions League final last season.
- Bayern are six points behind Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund in their quest to win a seventh successive domestic title.
- Despite Liverpool’s impressive form, they have lost their last two games and fell to defeats in each of their three Champions League group stage matches on the road.
- Bayern (14) picked up five more points than Liverpool (9) in the group stages.
Robben, who has announced he will leave Bayern at the end of the season after 10 years in Germany, has scored 26 goals in 71 European appearances for the club since arriving from Real Madrid in 2009.
But the Dutchman isn’t completely confident Bayern will overcome Liverpool.
“Liverpool is doing well again, just like last year when they made it to the final, and I also see them as a favourite for the Champions League victory this season,” Robben told reporters at a press conference.
“For us, it was perhaps the worst possible draw, but it’s going to be a great challenge, we have to look at ourselves, keep working hard and improve ourselves. If we have a good day and play the way we want, I’m sure we’ll make it very difficult for Liverpool.”
“Van Dijk deserves all the compliments”
Robben retired from international duty in 2017 after scoring 37 goals in 96 appearances for the Netherlands.
For two years, the former Chelsea winger played alongside Virgil van Dijk in Holland’s famous orange strip.
Van Dijk has emerged as one of Europe’s leading centre-backs since joining Liverpool from Southampton in January last year.
And Robben has heaped praise on his countryman, insisting Van Dijk deserves all the plaudits he is currently receiving.
Robben, who came through the Groningen youth system 11 years before Van Dijk, added: “I do not know if he is the best defender in the world, but other people are allowed to judge that, but I’m happy for him. He has made big strides lately, just look where he comes from.
“He has grown as a player, but also as a personality, I am happy for him, where he is at the moment. He is a key player at a gigantic club, and he is the captain of the Dutch national team. He deserves all the compliments.”
The post Arjen Robben unhappy about having to play Liverpool in the Champions League appeared first on Squawka News.
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