Stuart Pearce made a Champions League draw blunder as Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and Manchester City heard their fate this morning.
Pearce was in the Sky Sports news studio alongside Darren Bent and Chris Kirkland to see the balls drawn out the hat for the Champions League quarters.
Ajax were first out to be paired with Juventus before Liverpool were handed a quarter-final meeting with Porto.
Tottenham then drew Manchester City in the third semi-final leading Pearce to immediately hail Liverpool as the favourites.
“Firstly, Liverpool have gone as favourites for the competition now,” Pearce said. “Being that side of the draw, with who they’ve got…”
But Pearce was completely wrong – because the semi-final draw had not even been done. The order the ties were drawn didn’t matter one bit – not that Pearce knew – rendering whichever ‘side’ he thought existed pointless.
“City won’t say it but they will probably turn round, away from home first leg – it could have been worse,” Pearce continued, wrongly. “That side of the draw is tough now.”
Barcelona v Manchester United was the fourth quarter-final – and when that was done UEFA picked out the balls for the semis.
That saw the winner of the Tottenham v Manchester City tie face Ajax or Juventus while the semi-final will be Liverpool or Porto v Manchester United or Barcelona.
Pearce then had to go back on his word as he analysed: “When the draw was first made, I thought Liverpool would be favourites. But when the draw for the semi was made and it pitted Man City on side of Porto and Juventus, it puts the onus on Man City now.
“They will be happy with the rounds in front of them – if they can deliver.”
Champions League draw – quarter finals
Ajax v Juventus
Liverpool v Porto
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City
Barcelona v Manchester United
Champions League draw – semi-finals
Tottenham v Manchester City vs Ajax or Juventus
Liverpool or Porto v Manchester United or Barcelona
