Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus expects Liverpool to overcome his former side in the Champions League last-16 clash at Anfield.
The Reds enter the first leg without the suspended Virgil van Dijk, and several other key players, including Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum, could also be absent.
But the Bundesliga champions are not enjoying a typically dominant season in their homeland – with Borussia Dortmund currently above them in the German top flight.
Jurgen Klopp will look to mastermind another famous European win for Liverpool
And despite Jurgen Klopp’s growing list of absentees, Germany icon Matthaus believes Liverpool’s ‘pressing machine’ will overpower Bayern on Tuesday night.
“For me, Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. They are my favourites for the Champions League – not City, PSG, Real or Barcelona,” he told The Sun.
“Liverpool are a good pressing team. A German, Jurgen Klopp, pressing machine.
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“It’s terrible to play against a team when they come at you so strong, with and without the ball, so Bayern know they must find a way to cope with that.
“You know I am a Bayern Munich man. I am happy when Bayern win.
“But when I am talking as an expert, a pundit, I think Liverpool are stronger. [I predict] Liverpool 3-1 Bayern Munich.”
Lothar Matthaus expects Liverpool to win
The match will see a reunion between Klopp and former Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski, who enjoyed a special relationship during their time together in Germany.
Klopp brought the Poland international to the Bundesliga back in 2010, where he became one of the world’s most prolific strikers before moving to Bayern in 2014.
And Matthaus backs Lewandowski to have an impact against his former manager.
Jurgen Klopp with Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund
Robert Lewandowski has had some criticism but he knows how to find the net.
“He is still very important for Bayern and one of the best strikers around still,” he added.
“Of his type, I would still select him above anyone in Europe. He is at the same level as Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez.
Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is banned for the Bayern Munich clash
“Maybe in two years that might change but if I was a manager now, I’d have Lewandowski in my side.
“For me he is a real No 9, a top player.
“Every season he scores goals, in the Bundesliga and Champions League. He already has 25 this season, including eight in the Champions League.
“In the big games, he knows what he has to do. Give him a chance. He will take it.
“He works so hard for the team as well. Of course he gets upset if he is in a good position and doesn’t get the ball – which striker isn’t? – but he is definitely not the problem for Bayern.”
