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Former Liverpool star Jermaine Pennant has tipped the Reds to beat Arsenal if they meet in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.
Liverpool is very close to securing a spot in the top eight of the league phase of the competition after they easily defeated Marseille with a 3-0 win on Wednesday.
Arsenal are currently at the top of the league and are one of just two teams already guaranteed a spot in the Champions League round of 16.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Pennant said Liverpool are stronger in the Champions League and thinks they will perform better in that competition this season compared to the Premier League.
The former Liverpool and Arsenal winger said that the Reds have a history of performing better in the Champions League.
“They have the right background and the right knowledge, and I believe they would perform much better in the Champions League this season compared to the Premier League,” he said.
When asked if Liverpool are more likely to win the UCL than the Gunners, Pennant agreed, saying the Reds have the necessary experience to win it, as they have won it six times before.
“Yeah, I really mean it, because Liverpool have won the Champions League six times,” he continued.
“They have the background; they understand what it takes to reach that point and come out on top. I believe Liverpool would win against Arsenal in a two-legged match.
“I would say Liverpool has a better chance of winning it than Arsenal, because they’ve won it six times. They have the background and skills to make it across the line when it really matters.
“Over a two-legged game, Liverpool go to the Emirates, stink it out, come back to Anfield. If they can get Anfield rocking on a Champions League night, it’s a horrible place to go. There’s something special about Arsenal when they play at Anfield.”
Pennant thinks doing well in the league stage doesn’t guarantee Arsenal will win the trophy.
He compared the performance of Paris Saint-Germain to their amazing run in the last event.
The big teams in Ligue 1 ended up in 15th place in the 2024/25 season, so they had to go through a play-off to move forward, but they managed to win the championship for the first time.
“Last season, Liverpool won every league game except one, then they played PSG, who were 15th, and went on to win the title,” Pennant said.
