'Dominate' - Le Tissier backs Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City for Champions League semi-finals as Chelsea ignored
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Credit: Imago
Ben Palmer
Wed 27 August 2025 19:30, UK
Liverpool, Arsenal, and Man City have the ability to provide Premier League domination in the Champions League this season.
That is the verdict of former England and Southampton star Matt Le Tissier, who told Football Insider exclusively that he expects the English trio to make it to the late stages of the tournament, while leaving Chelsea out of the equation entirely.
Liverpool claimed the Premier League crown last season in Arne Slot‘s first campaign on Merseyside, but fell to eventual winners PSG in the last 16 after a penalty shootout, following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
The Reds have won the competition six times in their history, whilst their English rivals Arsenal are yet to lift the prestigious trophy.
Mikel Arteta‘s side were also knocked out by PSG after making it to the semi-final of the competition for the first time since 2009.
Arsenal have spent significant sums on Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, and Noni Madueke this summer, and will likely fancy their chances of once again making it to the last four, at a minimum.
Both the Gunners and the Reds will face stiff competition from a resurgent Man City side, who were the last Premier League winners of the tournament, beating Inter in Istanbul in 2023.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
The Sky Blues, much like their English counterparts, have spent big this summer in a bid to once again be crowned the champions of Europe.
Credit: Imago
This article contains exclusive comment from former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Premier League legend Le Tissier said that he would not be surprised if all of the aforementioned clubs made it deep into the competition, but stopped short of predicting any of them to win the famous big-eared trophy.
He said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if all three of those teams actually get into the later stages of the tournament.
(Credit Imago)
“It wouldn’t be a massive surprise if you saw those three teams all in the quarter-finals and possibly even the semi-finals.
“You know, I think there’s obviously a lot of rich heritage with those clubs in the Champions League in recent years, and I think Premier League clubs have the ability to dominate the competition.”
Chelsea may have defeated Champions League holder PSG to life the Club World Cup this summer, but that wasn’t enough to get a mention in the Premier League legend’s predictions.
In their quest to claim a first Champions League trophy since 2019, the Reds are going big this summer.
Florian Wirtz is currently Britain’s most expensive transfer, although Alexander Isak may claim that crown if he heads to Anfield in the final days of the transfer window.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
But whilst attackers win you games, defenders win you championships, and sources have told Football Insider that Marc Guehi will complete his move to Liverpool after Crystal Palace’s European tie against Fredrikstad.
The Reds are light at the back after Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer, and the Eagles’ captain would represent a major upgrade to Slot’s backline.