UCL Round of 16: RB Leipzig vs Liverpool - 'Germans can be tricky' - Costacurta warns, says Messi 'no longer the same'

Former Italy and AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta talks about Barcelona Argentine forward Lionel Messi being 'no longer the same', also warns Liverpool to be at the top of their game when they lock horns with German side RB Leipzig in the last-16 of the UEFA Champions League.

Former Italy and AC Milan Pro defender Alessandro Costacurta. Photo: Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty Images

Liverpool will face RB Leipzig on a neutral ground, The Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary on Tuesday 16 February at 21:00 in the UCL Round of 16.

Next week, the Champions League returns and Costacurta disclosed what he expects from the clubs that made it through the preliminaries.

Costacurta lifted the UCL trophy five times during his playing days.

Barcelona will face Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the French side will play without Brazilian playmaker Neymar who is expected to miss both legs.

Costacurta told SkySports Italia: “The games will be levelled without the Brazilian. I think PSG would have an edge on Barcelona with Neymar, but now I expect to see levelled matches."

About Lionel Messi being affected by rumours about his contract extension

Argentine forward Lionel Messi in action for Barcelona. Photo: Fran Santiago/Getty Images

He answered: “Yes, I think so. He's proved that, he's had a drop, he is no longer the same, it’s impossible not to think the contract row has not had some sort of impact.”

About Liverpool's clash against RB Leipzig

Liverpool Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and his Liverpool teammates look dejected as Manchester City cruised past them 4-1 in their recent Premier League clash on Sunday 7 February at Anfield. The match was played under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Photo: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

He answered: “The Germans can be tricky. Liverpool have already lost five games this season. Liverpool have changed, I don’t know if it’s because of COVID or because of empty stadiums. They are not the same team they used to be.

“A few months ago they seemed the best team in Europe, by far, now they don’t have the same energy.”