Mesut Ozil names Liverpool rivalry as bigger fixture than El Clasico

Former Real Madrid and Arsenal star Mesut Ozil believes that Liverpool vs Manchester City is now a more significant worldwide fixture than El Clasico. 

Ozil spent three years at the Santiago Bernabeu and played in a staggering 16 Clasicos between Real Madrid and Barcelona over that period before his move to north London in 2013.

The retired German won just four of those fixtures, scoring once and assisting six times during a particularly exciting period of Clasico clashes.

However, the World Cup winner believes that the fabled Spanish rivalry has lost some of its glamour in recent years, suggesting that Liverpool's battles with Man City, as well as other huge Premier League duels, have attracted greater interest across the globe.

MESUT OZIL MAKES BOLD CLASICO CLAIM

Speaking with Marca ahead of this Sunday's La Liga meeting between Real and Barca, Ozil was asked about what his memories of the fixture were like from his time in Madrid.

He responded: "At that time [2010-2013] it was the most important match in the world of football. Unfortunately for us, Barca was perhaps the best Barca in history. Pep's [Guardiola] Barca was at another level, certainly different from the current Barca.

"I think that right now worldwide attention is focused more on matches like Liverpool vs Manchester City or other Premier League duels.

"Here [in Spain] I think that the Clasico has gone down [in status] and it is a shame. But that is not Real Madrid's fault, as they are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the world. The problem is Barca, which has lost potential."

Liverpool's battles with Man City have consistently been some of the most engaging and dramatic football matches in world football during the Klopp and Guardiola era.

In fact, the majority of Liverpool's clashes with top English sides have produced fireworks under Klopp, including against Ozil's old side Arsenal.