Liverpool eliminated, Klopp picks his favourite to win the Champions League

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp acknowledged Real Madrid's superiority in both legs of the last-16 tie and said Carlo Ancelotti's side "can win the Champions League again for sure". Klopp stressed that Carlo Ancelotti and his team deserve his full respect. "The goal difference demanded a special performance which we didn't do. Our game was good but Real Madrid controlled it well and had the best chances. To advance to the next round we needed to be outstanding but, again, they were better and that's why they go through to the next round," he admitted at a press conference.

"Because of the experience and the confidence that Real Madrid have, they are one of the favourites. They can win again for sure. What is certain is that whoever wants to be champion will have to beat them. I see Manchester City and Napoli as very strong," he added. The Liverpool boss was grateful for Real Madrid's gesture of playing 'You'll never walk alone' over the loudspeaker at the end of the game. "It's a very nice gesture. There are two heavyweights who meet too often in this competition and it's clear that they have a lot of respect for each other."

"At the end of the game I wasn't angry, just disappointed. I would be angry if we had been eliminated by a penalty but, in the end, Real Madrid played better and I've been doing this for too long to respect them," he said. Liverpool's focus is now on trying to make a comeback in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League if they finish in the top four of their league.

Klopp believes Real Madrid will be champions

"With the history we have in this competition, we tend to start with the idea of winning it, to be honest. Several times we have reached the final in the last few years but we didn't win it. That's why I say if you want to win it you have to be outstanding and we haven't been. We want to be part of this competition every year and now we focus on a very decisive week in the Premiership," he said.