Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Kaka (L), Massimo Ambrosini (C) and Andrea Pirlo (R) celebrate with the trophy Milan celebrate with the trophy during the UEFA Champions League Final match between Liverpool and AC Milan at the Olympic Stadium (Image: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

AC Milan legend Massimo Ambrosini has backed Liverpool to win the Champions League this season.

The Reds will face either the winners of Paris Saint-Germain/Brest or Benfica/Monaco in the round of 16, with the draw set to take place on Friday.

Arne Slot’s side topped the inaugural league phase after winning their first seven matches - including beating reigning champions Real Madrid 2-0 at Anfield - and are the current favourites to win the tournament as a result.

The Reds are also seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table - having lost just once all season - and will also face Newcastle United in next month’s League Cup final.

READ MORE:Arne Slot shares Cody Gakpo update as double Liverpool injury blow confirmedREAD MORE:Wigan youngster mocks Everton again after going viral for Liverpool celebration

Ambrosini was a two-time Champions League winner with AC Milan, including against Liverpool in 2007, but missed the Reds’ famous 2005 triumph over the Serie A giants in Istanbul through injury.

Rafa Benitez’s side were the underdogs that day, but the former Italy international has backed Slot’s current ranks to live up to their favourites tag and end the season as European champions.

“I have to go with Liverpool to win the Champions League, without a doubt,” he said.

“They are the best team in the Champions League right now apart from in the last game against PSV Eindhoven which didn’t mean much.

“They want to win against everyone in Europe, the same as in England.

I think they will go further than the other English clubs.

“Looking at Arsenal, the injury to Kai Havertz has reduced their chances in the competition, so you have to go with Liverpool.”

Meanwhile, Ambrosini also warned Leeds United star Wilfried Gnonto to take note of Federico Chiesa’s plight at Liverpool and snub any potential move to Anfield.

Federico Chiesa and Wilfried Gnonto of Italy warms up during an Italy Training Session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano(Image: Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

The Italy international has returned five goals and five assists from 30 Championship appearances this season to help the Whites lead the second-tier table as they go in pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League.

A versatile forward, the 21-year-old has scored 18 goals to date for Leeds from 105 appearances, and was of interest to the Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton following the Elland Road outfit’s relegation to the Championship.

Gnonto has not actually been linked with a move to Liverpool, though Slot could find himself in need of new faces in attack in the summer with the futures of a number of his options uncertain.

Mohamed Salah is out of contract and yet to agree an extension, while Chiesa, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Harvey Elliott have all been linked with potential Anfield exits.

Chiesa has found his game-time limited since moving to Anfield, with the Italy international, who has been limited to just three starts, returning a goal and an assist from 10 appearances.

And Ambrosini has warned the Leeds star to take note of Chiesa’s own struggles at Anfield when insisting Gnonto is not ready for a move to Liverpool.

“Could Wilfried Gnonto replace Mohamed Salah at Liverpool?

“He needs to have played at a higher level before going to Liverpool, who are on top at the moment.

Article continues below

“Look what has happened to Federico Chiesa.

I think Gnonto should have a step after Leeds before thinking about Liverpool or Manchester United.
For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.