Jamie Carragher has backed Liverpool to have the edge and win the Champions League this season after they earned a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in their semi-final first leg at Anfield.
The Reds began the brighter of the two sides but were unable to find the breakthrough during the first-half, with Sadio Mane missing the best chance as he put a close-range header wide. Mohamed Salah also squandered an excellent opportunity as he blazed over following Trent Alexander-Arnold's cut-back.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side took the lead in the 53rd minute as Jordan Henderson's cross flew into the corner via a massive deflection from Pervis Estupinan. This gave the Reds a platform to build on and they doubled their advantage just moments later as Mane poked the ball beyond goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
It was a dominant performance from Liverpool, who strolled over the line to take a healthy advantage to Spain for the second leg next Tuesday. In the other semi-final, Manchester City secured a 4-3 victory over Real Madrid in a thriller at the Etihad Stadium.
Delivering his prediction for how the rest of the tournament will unfold, former Reds defender Carragher claimed Liverpool will go all the way to win the Champions League for the second time in four years. However, he was not sure whether Klopp's side will lift the Premier League with City currently a point ahead in the table.
Carragher told CBS Sports: "I think Liverpool will win the Champions League. The league I’m not so sure, Manchester City have the slight advantage in that if they win all their games they’ve won the league.
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"This weekend is absolutely vital in terms of the Premier League. That is a tough assignment for Liverpool, the turnaround hours wise the manager has mentioned. If Liverpool can get through this weekend still being in the same position they’re in with with Manchester City I still think they’ve got a great chance with the league but that’s up to Manchester City.
"But the Champions League, it feels like it’s Liverpool’s competition and they’ve got one foot in the final and I don’t think anyone else can say that. I think Madrid will go through. When you miss that many chances in the first leg you have got a massive problem. It’s a big standout game."
Liverpool are next in action when they take on Newcastle United in the early Saturday kick-off as they look to continue their quadruple ambitions. The Reds have already lifted the Carabao Cup and are in the final of the FA Cup, where they take on Chelsea on May 14.
