James Rodriguez (c.) is hitting top form ahead of Bayern Munich's UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool. - © imago/ActionPictures

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Bayern Munich's James Rodriguez: "We can cause Liverpool problems"

18.02.2019

James Rodriguez says Bayern Munich have no reason to fear English Premier League title candidates Liverpool in their upcoming UEFA Champions League last 16 tie.

The two European heavyweights meet for the first time in the competition at Anfield on 19 February, with the second leg to be played at Bayern's Allianz Arena on 13 March.

"I'm very much looking forward to facing Liverpool," Real Madrid loanee James, 27, told SportBild. "You can't make mistakes in these games, but I think we can cause Liverpool problems. We have a team that's good enough to go through if it goes well."

In spite of his injury troubles, James (c.) is averaging a competitive club goal or assist every 134 minutes this season. - imago/Plusphoto

James: 'I can still get better'

Bayern reaffirmed their top-end credentials with a comfortable 3-1 win over Schalke to close the gap on Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund to five points last weekend. James had a hand in two first-half goals at the Allianz Arena, and is confident he is nearing his best form following a ruptured knee ligament injury that forced him to miss the last eight games of 2018.

"I think I had a good game against Schalke," James said after making his third competitive start in a row. "I'm feeling better all the time. I was out for nearly three months. I'm providing more quality with each game, but I can still play better."

Watch: James Rodriguez on the Bundesliga title race

Lewandowski: 'Great to have players like James'

Ominous words for Liverpool, and music to the ears of Bayern - and leading scorer Robert Lewandowski in particular. The Poland striker plundered his 25th competitive goal of the season against Schalke, dispatching a trademark weighted pass from James with aplomb.

"He showed how good he is and what he can do with the ball," Lewandowski enthused after becoming the first player to score 100 Allianz Arena goals. "It's great that we have players like James."