The Atletico Madrid forward admitted his side faces a massive challenge in their round of 16 clash.
Joao Felix admits that Liverpool would be the”most difficult team” to face from the Champions League as Atletico Madrid prepare to take on last year’s winners.
The Reds took down Tottenham in last year’s finale after formerly stunning Barcelona with one of the most improbable comebacks of all time.
And Jurgen Klopp’s side have just improved this season, as Liverpool have gathered a series of records while surging to the peak of the Premier League.
As things stand, Liverpool sit 22 points clear atop the Premier League, having dropped just two of the 75 points available to them this year.
The Champions League, however, has been a bit different, as Liverpool did lose 2-0 to Napoli in their opener before drawing the Italian side in their penultimate game of the group stage.
But Felix knows that Atletico Madrid face a major challenge once the Spanish side takes on last year’s winners from the round of 16.
“It is going to be a very difficult tie”, Felix told Eleven Sports.
“Perhaps of all of the teams, they are the toughest team.
“Liverpool are in good shape, in excellent shape, they are the defending champions and it’ll be extremely tough, as with any match in the Champions League.
“But contrary to this Liverpool who do very nicely, it’ll be even more difficult.”
Atletico Madrid have endured an up-and-down campaign, as Diego Simeone’s side now sits sixth in La Liga, 12 points behind rivals and league leaders Real Madrid.
The club managed to successfully navigate the Champions League group stage, however, finishing second behind Juventus in a group that also included Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow.
Felix, playing in his first season for the club, has scored four goals in 23 games across all contests.
Atletico Madrid are set to face Granada and Valencia in the series up to that round of 16 game on February 18 while are set to pay a visit to Norwich on February 15 after their winter break.
