Champions League winner Josemi believes Liverpool's pressing game makes them favourites to beat Barcelona to reach another European Cup final.
And the Spaniard regards this Reds squad as far superior to the one which triumphed in Istanbul in 2005.
Josemi was a substitute on the night Liverpool claimed their fifth European Cup with a dramatic win over AC Milan in 2005.
Under Jurgen Klopp , the Reds were beaten finalists against Real Madrid last season and are through to the last four once again, where they will face Barcelona in the first leg at Camp Nou on Wednesday.
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And Josemi believes the second leg being at Anfield could be a key difference to his former club.
“In this tie I would bet on Liverpool, I think it can take advantage for the second leg,” he said to Radio MARCA.
“Having Messi does a lot for your team to win but with the pressing game so high from Liverpool, I think it can hurt Barcelona. It's going to be very close.”
Liverpool also remain in the hunt for the Premier League title, standing a point behind leaders Manchester City with two games left to play.
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And Josemi added: “I think this Liverpool has nothing to do with the one I played in.
“The current Liverpool is much more powerful than the one I experienced, it has a very balanced squad and they have improved compared to last year.”
