Kop can be Euro masters

DEJAN LOVREN believes Liverpool can win the Champions League this season.

Liverpool thrashed Porto 5-0 in their first leg clash on Wednesday, putting one foot in the quarter-finals. And Lovren (left) thinks they can now go all the way to the final in Kiev. Asked if the Reds can be crowned European champions for the sixth time he said: “Of course – if we are right and everyone defends well.

“Each centimetre of the pitch needs to be covered, then we have a great chance to be in the next round. Then it is step-by-step.”

Liverpool are still outsiders despite their

five-star display with Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Manchester City all still in the hunt.

But Lovren insisted: “It is good when they don’t talk about us. Maybe they would consider them to be the favourites – even better.

“We are the underdogs. I love that when people think that about us. It is something from deep inside that will explode but we need to be calm.”

Team-mate James Milner said: “I don’t think anyone will want to play us but we have got to keep improving and keep experiencing these games in Europe, the big nights that matter, and learning from the process.

“There is ability and talent but it is a young dressing room. But this team can go anywhere.”

Milner hailed the Reds’ attacking trio of Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino after they took their combined goals total to 63 goals this season.

He said: “The hardest thing is putting the ball in the back of the net and we’ve got players who can do that.

“The other side we have got to work on is clean sheets. We have got to manage games better. That, ultimately, is what wins you titles.” FOOTBALL UEFA Europa League Round of 32, 1st leg Celtic (0) .................... 1 Zenit St P’burg (0) .... 0 Ostersunds FK (0) .... 0 Arsenal (2) ................ 3 DARTS Unibet Premier League – Week Three WINTER OLYMPICS Curling – men’s group game: Women’s group games: MEDAL TABLE G S B 1 Germany ............ 9 2 4 2 Norway ............... 6 7 4 3 Holland .............. 5 5 2 4 USA .................... 5 1 2 5 Canada ............... 4 5 4 TODAY’S DIARY FOOTBALL Emirates FA Cup 5th round Chelsea v Hull (8pm) .......................................... Leicester v Sheff Utd (7.45pm) .......................... JD Welsh Premier: Total 15 17 12 8 13