Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool are the 'last team' Manchester City would like to draw in the quarter finals of the Champions League.
Liverpool advanced to last eight with a 2-1 aggregate win over Inter Milan on Tuesday night while City hold a 5-0 lead over Sporting Lisbon and are hoping to progress on Wednesday.
The two sides met in the same stage of the competition in 2018 with the Reds coming out on top with a 5-1 aggregate victory.
If Liverpool were to draw City, the huge Premier League encounter would fall in the middle of the Champions League clashes.
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Speaking in the BT Sport studio before City take on Sporting Lisbon in their second leg at the Etihad Stadium, Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott spoke of the potential encounter.
"That would be amazing," said Ferdinand.
"Especially when it’s either side of the Premier League game as well, playing Liverpool three times in a week," Lescott added.
"Liverpool would be the last team that they’ll want in the draw," Ferdinand replied.
"In regards to the Champions League, to avoid English teams helps. There’s a lack of understanding of how dominant City are in this competition when they face teams from other countries, I don’t think they’re used to that where Liverpool and Chelsea know," said Lescott.
"Small margins, the Everton game, snuck through with a bit on luck, in the cup, people were saying ‘they’re out of form, off it’ then all of a sudden, the Manchester derby. If that goes the other way, Liverpool are favourites," finished Ferdinand.
"A lot of people are changing saying Liverpool will be a team with momentum but after the game at the weekend, I can’t see anything but Man City getting their hands on the Premier League."
Owen Hargreaves believes City are the favourites to win the Champions League this season: " I think you respect everyone, whether it’s Liverpool or Bayern.
"But I think everyone has said that City are the favourites. The group of players, now’s the time to go and win it.
"But you know with this competition the margins are so fine, one blip, one moment and you’ll be punished. This season they’ll feel even more prepared than in the past."
