‘I can’t look past them’ – Liverpool legend tips Manchester City to retain Champions League trophy this season

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Steve McManaman has tipped Manchester City to go back-to-back in the UEFA Champions League by claiming the crown again.

Pep Guardiola and his players claimed their first success in Europe’s premier club competition last season, defeating Serie A giants Inter in the showpiece final in Istanbul courtesy of a single goal from Rodri.

Success in the Champions League had not come easy for Manchester City however, as they battled past a trio of German outfits en route to the final in Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig, and Bayern Munich, as well as Real Madrid over two-legs at the final-four stage.

Now, following victory on matchday one in this season’s group stage competition, former Liverpool and Real Madrid winger and now football pundit Steve McManaman believes it will be Manchester City’s crown once again this season.

Speaking during an exclusive interview with Betfred, Steve McManaman explained, “I believe an English team will triumph, so I’m going to have to say that Manchester City will probably win it again.

“Bayern Munich are obviously stronger with Harry Kane doing the business and I’m thrilled to bits for him because if they can keep him fit, he’ll probably score 40 to 50 goals this season.”

McManaman continued, “I don’t believe Real Madrid and PSG are stronger than they were last season so when I look overall at what Manchester City have done this summer, I can’t look past them at this moment in time.”

Manchester City came out on top 3-1 in the opening fixture of the group stage last week, defeating Serbian side Crvena zvezda thanks to two goals from Julian Alvarez and a delightful solo effort from Rodri after the visitors had originally taken the lead in the game.

Bernardo Silva succumbed to casualty over the 90 minutes however, as the Portugal international midfielder sustained a first-half injury that is expected to rule him out for the coming matches amid uncertainty over timeframe.

Manchester City next take on RB Leipzig in the Champions League as they travel to Saxony next week on matchday two, in what will be a repeat of last season’s last-16 first-leg tie in Germany that finished with a 1-1 scoreline.