Whenever Liverpool Football Club are in a knockout competition, particularly a European one, they are considered one of the strong favorites to lift the trophy when all is said and done.
With Liverpool making their return to the UEFA Champions League after a one season pitstop in the Europa League, are those expectations fair and realistic this time around? Yes or no?
In this piece I am going to take a closer look at the Reds squad under Arne Slot, analyze the competitors and hopefully we will come away with a truer outlook on what to expect from this club in Europe this season.
Champions League Veterans
You can't make experience appear overnight in football. It is earned though crushing defeats, pulsating draws and joyous victories, just to name a few options.
This Liverpool squad still boasts several stalwarts from the 2019 Champions League winning team that also made it all the way to 2 additional UCL Finals. That is something that Slot will absolutely need to call on during this campaign.
When you take a look at this Liverpool squad on current form, they would probably be a favorite against the majority of the 36 teams competing in the UCL League phase this season.
Players like Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have gone up against the best of the best and come out the other side. They will not be intimidated by any marquee matchup that might come in the later rounds and they would back themselves, especially at Anfield versus any opponent.
Analyzing the Reds' Draw
It wasn't the easiest draw out there but at the same time, there probably are a few other clubs that are more upset looking at theirs right now. Facing sides like Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig is not ideal, but they will be true litmus tests for Slot and the club.
Liverpool begins their Champions League journey with a trip to the San Siro to face the aforementioned AC Milan in a titanic and historic clash.
Barring any health scares, that is probably a 52%-48% favorite in favor of Slot's men. If we can secure a positive result from that one, it might go a long way to racking up early points in the league phase.
Opponents like Bologna, Girona, PSV and Lille means there are going to be several chances to put on emphatic displays. Games against Leipzig and Xabi Alonso's German champions Leverkusen will be tough battles, but nobody would be shocked if Liverpool won those games.
Real Madrid is the only game that is daunting during the league phase. Assuming Liverpool are in good shape they should secure a Round of 16 spot.
At that point it would all be dependent on their matchup from there on out. PSG? Real? Bayern? Inter? All would be tough outs, but the power of Anfield and the top-end talent on offer in Red should see them into the Quarterfinals at worst.
The Verdict
The semifinals will be a crapshoot and there are so many unknown variables between now and then that could arise.
Looking at the talent on offer at Liverpool, assuming health and a good draw, there is no reason to not at least expect an appearance in the Semifinals. At that point, they would have as good a chance as anyone left over.
It won't be a straightforward journey, they never are in this competition, especially now so with the new format, but the Reds have one of the better chances to make a deep run in this tournament.
A strong start later this month will be the first step of many on the long and winding road to yet another UCL Final.