Robbie Keane believes his old club Liverpool can win the Champions League this season despite their league sketchy form
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Robbie Keane believes his old club Liverpool can win the Champions League this season despite their league sketchy form

FORMER REPUBLIC OF IRELAND striker Robbie Keane believes that Liverpool has the potential to win a 7th Champions League trophy this year despite their poor showing in the Premier League this season.  

Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp have finally found form in the league after poor displays all year but face their sternest test of the season when they face European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight.  

Even though Liverpool have failed to emulate the levels they have shown in previous years in this year's domestic league campaign, Keane believes that Liverpool are the best side equipped to park their poor domestic form and win the competition this year. 

Liverpool did exactly this in 2005, when they finished 5th in the league. They went onto to beat AC Milan on penalties after coming back from 3-0 down. 

Keane, who used to play for the Reds spoke to Betway and said, "I’m obviously looking forward to watching Tottenham in the knockout stages, but I’m really excited by Liverpool, too. 

"They are not in great form in the Premier League, but I really believe Liverpool have an opportunity to go and win the Champions League. 

"Can they do it while underperforming domestically? Absolutely. The way they play certainly suits the Champions League and they have shown their quality in Europe over the past few years. 

"Looking at them and Chelsea, neither of them have suddenly become bad teams. Liverpool were runners-up last season and Chelsea won the competition the year before. 

"Sometimes when you’re not doing so well in the league, a different competition is good for a team. It gives them a welcome change and can give a team a different mindset. That could be the case this year. 

"Of course, Real Madrid are a difficult hurdle to get past for Liverpool. They have won five of the last nine Champions Leagues, while Carlo Ancelotti has won four as a manager. They have experience and knowhow in abundance. 

"But the Reds can still make a success of this season. 

Liverpool's game against Real Madrid starts at 8pm tonight.  

Coverage of that game starts at 19.30 and can be seen live on RTE TWO.