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Dejan Lovren believes Liverpool can win the Champions League if they replicate the standards set in the demolition of FC Porto.

The Reds took a giant step towards the quarter-finals as they hammered the Portuguese Premier League leaders 5-0 at Estadio do Dragao in Wednesday night's first leg.

Lovren insists Jurgen Klopp's side are capable of beating any of the European giants left in the competition as they target glory in Kiev in May.

“Why not? Of course (we can win it)," he said.

"Yes, if we are right and we do our job like we did and everyone defends well - each centimetre of the pitch is covered – then we have a great chance. We have to take it step by step.

"Don't forget about Liverpool. We have so much quality so we can beat everyone if we are on our top level – as simple as that."

The likes of Manchester City, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are the favourites but the Croatian defender says Liverpool are relishing their status as outsiders as they bid to clinch the club's sixth European crown.

“It is good when they don't talk about us," Lovren said.

(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)

"Maybe they would consider them to be the favourites – even better. We are the underdogs I would say. I love that when people think that about us.

"It is something from deep inside that will explode but we need to be calm and finish the second game at home and let's see what happens later."

Lovren impressed alongside Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool outfought and outclassed Porto. He was heavily involved in Sadio Mane's opening goal as his pressing won back possession and put the Reds on the attack.

Having established a 2-0 lead at the break, Klopp's men showed no mercy in the second half as they humiliated the hosts.

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“It was serious football and we showed we can manage the game from the first until the last minute and this is what we need through the whole season," Lovren said.

"I think we learned from our mistakes. When you are 2-0, 3-0 up you think it is over but it is not and you still have a lot to play. We showed quality and character.

“It is brilliant to be part of the last 16 but there is still a long way to go and we just need to be smart.

"We also need to focus on the Premier League because we need to finish in the top four so we can get what we want which is to be in the Champions League again next season."

The squad flew from Portugal to Spain on Thursday for a four-day training camp in Marbella. The Reds' early exit from the FA Cup means they aren't back in action until West Ham visit Anfield in the Premier League a week on Saturday.

"It's not relaxed, it's working time," Lovren added.

"Maybe it is good to be a couple of days away from Liverpool with the bad weather. Definitely we can improve some things. It will be a fabulous atmosphere for the team."