Mcmanaman says English teams can overtake Real and Barca

After years of English teams underperforming in the Champions League former Real Madrid and Liverpool winger Steve McManaman has backed Manchester City and Liverpool to buck that trend.

McMannaman belives that the cycle of dominance that Barcrelona, Bayern Munich and most notably Real Madrid have had in Europe's biggest club competion is ending and that English clubs could take advantage of this 

The Englishman is well qualified to speak on the subject having turned out for all three of Liverpool, Manchester City and Real Madrid, winning the trophy with the Spanish ginats in 2000 and 2002.

The 'Daily Mail' quoted the 'BT Sport' pundit as saying: ''Manchester City and Liverpool are not only the teams to beat, but the ones to fear.

''European clubs didn't fear English sides for the last five or six years, but they do now.

''We are now entering the cycle when the English sides dominate rather than the Spanish sides.

''When I look at the transfer business they have all done, with the exception of Juventus bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo and Leonardo Bonucci, the only side that has invested well and strengthened their squad is Barcelona.

''They are the only ones I think would challenge City and Liverpool, even the other two English sides too. If they get a bit of luck in the draw and stay away from each other, unlike last season, they could easily be the finalists.

''Looking at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and the stars of Paris St Germain I wonder if they can get over the line this time. I do not know if PSG, who go to Liverpool this week, have got the mentality to go all the way.''