Francesco Totti says Roma wanted to draw Liverpool or Sevilla (Picture: Getty)

Roma legend Francesco Totti says the Italian club wanted to be drawn against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The former Italy international who now servers Roma as a club director was in attendance at the draw in Nyon, where he claimed Liverpool and Manchester United’s conquerors Sevilla were the two preferable draws left in the last eight of the competition.

The Giallorossi were dealt one of the toughest draws of the Champions League quarter-finals having been paired with Barcelona, who are still unbeaten in La Liga and Europe this season.

‘I’m happy, we’re among the eight best in Europe,” Totti told Premium Sport.




‘Every team is difficult at this stage, but we face this tie with serenity and tranquillity. We know Barcelona are one of the best teams in Europe, but we know that we can do well against them too.

‘On paper, Sevilla and Liverpool were the affordable sides, but that’s not the case. It’s different on the pitch.

‘Rest assured that they’ll be concerned about facing Roma too. We want to play our game and show that we can also mix it with Barcelona.

‘Everyone expects Barca to go through, but they’ll encounter a great Roma team. Football is great, especially for games like these.

‘If we want to win this competition, we have to go all the way and face the best teams. Dealing with players like Messi and Suarez gives us great motivation.

‘We finished top of a very difficult group, we faced Shakhtar in the last 16 and have embarked on more-than-positive journey.

‘Barcelona will certainly have to sweat in order to beat Roma.’

Liverpool were drawn against Premier League rivals Manchester City while Sevilla face Bayern Munich.

The first legs will take place on 3-4 April, with the return legs on 10-11 April.

MORE: Simon Mignolet reacts as Liverpool draw Manchester City in the Champions League quarter-finals