...AND EVEN KLOPP AGREES: BUT CITY MUST SORT THEIR DEFENCE

JURGEN KLOPP believes Manchester City can lift the Champions League – if Pep Guardiola solves the defensive problems that have allowed Liverpool to take their Premier League title.

Klopp (left) feels the fight for his team’s European crown will be between City and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich when the competition is completed in Portugal.

He saw his new champions given a reality check by the Blues in a 4-0 drubbing on Thursday night, but felt there were still signs of defensive frailties that have seen City concede more goals this term than Liverpool, Leicester, Manchester United and Sheffield United.

Klopp said: “I think the two big favourites left in the competition are Bayern and Man City.

“Bayern played an impressive season after Hansi Flick took over and these two are the favourites. Everybody needs luck and, if you want to win the Champions League, you should have your best line-up ready for the final. But I really think these two teams are the two favourites, so City have a massive chance.

“But even in the game against us, which City won deservedly, we should have scored three goals. No team in the world is perfect. City is not, Bayern is not, we are not.

“But you need to be nearly perfect in precise moments to win the Champions League.”

SIMON MULLOCK