The president of Brazilian side Gremio has claimed the prospect of facing Champions League holders Liverpool in the FIFA Club World Cup won't scare him.
The Reds will fly out to Qatar in December ahead of the semi-final of a competition that pits the winners of each continent's biggest prize against each other.
Jurgen Klopp's European champions are likely to be viewed as favourites for the Club World Cup in December, but Gremio chief Romildo Bolzan Junior said Liverpool won't carry the same intimidation factor as Real Madrid, who won the Champions League for three successive seasons prior to June's success for the Reds.
He told UOL (via Sport Witness): "The favourites tend to be European teams, always.
"I'm sure Liverpool scare less than the Real Madrid we faced. Liverpool are a team that can be beaten.
"For us, for Flamengo, for Boca, for River. Real Madrid were a galactic team, full of stars."
Gremio, however, may not even be part of the pack in Qatar with the South American's Copa Libertadores to play their semi-final stage in October.
Gremio will meet their Brazilian counter-parts Flamengo in the final four with the other tie pitting two teams from Argentina against each other with Boca Juniors and River Plate adding another edition to their iconic - and often fiery - rivalry into the history books later this year.
Yeeamnrsty
69
In the past even the world's best club Barcelona's toughest opponent was Real Madrid but this is present,Real Madrid are no longer favourites in any competition they play. At present Liverpool is the most feared team for any team in the world, be careful what you wished for, your words may bite you back when your team faces Liverpool