Lamine Yamal has named the new favourites for the Champions League following Liverpool's crushing elimination.
Premier League leaders Liverpool were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, who reached the next round of the competition following their 4-1 penalty shootout victory.
PSG have set up a tie against another English side as they meet Unai Emery's Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
Barcelona, meanwhile, face Borussia Dortmund for a spot in the semi-finals following their 4-1 victory over Benfica.
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Fans and critics alike are backing Barca to go all the way, given their stunning form his season.
And Yamal, who starred in his side's victory over Benfica last week, sees it like that, too, claiming they are now the favourites for the Champions League following Liverpool's exit.
Speaking to Spanish outlet SPORT, Yamal said: "We are favorites to win the Champions League now that Liverpool are out of the competition.
"We are not afraid of any team, we are a family... and we’re not the same as one year ago against PSG."
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Lamal got on the score-sheet and set up a goal for Raphinha in his side's 3-1 win over Benfica at the Camp Nou.
Manager Hansi Flick was happy for Yamal's goal, saying: "I'm happy with him, he hadn’t scored for a long time."
On his team's victory over Benfica, Flick added: "I’m happy, of course. We have respected Benfica, their coach. It was a difficult game for us but we did very well."
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The German boss was also asked whether Barca should be viewed as the favourites to win the Champions League this season to which he replied: "We have to see who we play.”
If Barca see off Dortmund, then they await the winners of Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan and could face the likes of Real Madrid or PSG in the final.
Topics: Lamine Yamal, Champions League, Football, Liverpool
Nasir Jabbar