Steve McManaman snubs Arsenal and names his two Champions League favourites

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| Sports reporter Published September 9, 2026 11:22pm Updated September 9, 2026 11:22pm Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman (Picture: Reuters) Steve McManaman snubbed last year’s finalists, Arsenal, as he named his two favourites to win the Champions League this season. However, two-time Champions League winner McManaman believes that defending champions PSG and Spanish giants Barcelona are both likelier winners of this season’s competition.

Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: ‘PSG are favourites of course because they ‘ve won it the last two years. Martin Odegaard scored as Arsenal beat Napoli (Picture: Shutterstock) ‘I think Barcelona are very strong, they’ve been excellent in La Liga.

Defending champions PSG got underway with a comfortable win (Picture: EPA) Elsewhere, Liverpool picked up their first European victory under Andoni Iraola with a 2-1 comeback victory over Atletico Madrid. Bradley Barcola made his first start since his big-money move from PSG, but McManaman doesn’t believe the Frenchman’s arrival will automatically turn Liverpool into Champions League contenders. ‘I think he makes them better, he’s shown what he can do in a PSG shirt and won the Champions League a couple of times, so we know he’s got experience,’ McManaman added. ‘I think he can make Liverpool’s starting XI better but whether that makes them anywhere close to favourites I would probably doubt. ‘I think it’s a transitional year for Liverpool, and I think there will be a few ups and downs a bit like last year.