Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has confessed that he wants to avoid a Champions League semi-final showdown with Real Madrid.
Los Blancos have won the competition three times in the last four years, including in back-to-back campaigns, and are on course to retain their crown once again.
A 3-0 win over Juventus in the first leg of their last-eight tie has Madrid on the brink of yet another semis appearance, where they will be joined by Liverpool, Roma and one of Bayern Munich or Sevilla - the Germans leading 2-1 at the midway stage of that one.
Lovren admits that he would prefer to take on either Roma or Bayern, but says the Reds deserve respect from whoever they face following their 5-1 win over Manchester City in the last round.
"We're proud after two tough games against City we showed we deserved to pass," he told reporters. "You need to respect Liverpool. We have a team that plays well with the ball. The second goal was exceptional. The goal is to qualify for the final.
"I hope we will face Roma or Bayern [Munich in the semi-finals] because Real has won the last two cups and it is very difficult to beat them."
Liverpool last reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2007-08.
Daniel Lewis
