Wednesday 4 April 2018 19:11, UK
Ian Wright and Dennis Wise both told The Debate Liverpool would beat Manchester City in their Champions League quarter-final tie.
Wright said the Reds' performances against Manchester City this season, including the only Premier League victory over Pep Guardiola's side, showed they have the ability to upset the champions-elect over the two legs of their last-eight encounter.
He said: "We saw at the start of the season [when the two sides played each other] before Sadio Mane got sent off they were doing really well in that game but ended up losing by a few [5-0] after going down to 10 men.
"We then saw what they did to them at Anfield as well. Manchester City will know they will look into Liverpool's eyes and they'll say: 'We are ready for you'
"Kevin De Bruyne said he saw the Everton players [when they played at the weekend] and they didn't know what to do with them. They couldn't cope with them.
"Liverpool can cope with them and they can hurt them. It's going to be so well poised and the fans will have a say in it I think. I'm going to go with Liverpool."
City have rarely looked vulnerable during the campaign but have sometimes suffered against a high press, with Liverpool arguably the best English side at deploying that style.
Dennis Wise added the Reds would cause Guardiola's side problems because of their philosophy, and would focus on their own strengths as much as City's impressive line-up.
He said: "They know that if they really press them high and have a real go at them they know it makes an impact. Liverpool won't sit back at home, it's as simple as that.
"To be honest I don't think they'll sit back in either game, they'll have a real go at them. They realise that the three they've got up front can hurt Man City. I'm going Liverpool. They are one-off games and on the night they can pull it off."
The Reds' reputation for a wall of noise at Anfield has previously been credited as helping them through some knock-out ties in the Champions League down the years.
Wright said it could prove crucial as Liverpool look to upset the odds against City, led by Guardiola, who has already won European's top continental competition twice as a coach.
He said: "That's going to be some atmosphere. I know the Manchester City players have played in some big games - they've got World Cup winners and everything - but I think the atmosphere that's going to be at Anfield is something they are going to notice.
"It's not going to be like a Premier League atmosphere. Anfield on a European night like this one it's a different noise and I hope City are going to be ready for that because Liverpool have shown they can hurt them."
