Steven Gerrard thinks he's figured out the way Liverpool can win the Champions League this season
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Steven Gerrard thinks Liverpool’s Champions League chances will rely heavily on their ability to secure a top-five Premier League finish as soon as possible.After losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Tuesday, the Reds have dropped down to sixth in the top flight, which will not be a top-tier European place even if England finishes top of UEFA’s coefficient rankings.But their domestic form will need to improve soon as Gerrard thinks Liverpool need to ‘consolidate the top four or five’ quickly and take the ‘pressure’ off themselves so that they can make the Champions League a priority. Liverpool are going to have to change this to make it to the UCL quarter-finals… Give us your early predictions for the last-16 clash with Galatasaray Photo Credit: Getty Images/Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates Liverpool need to secure a top-five finish quickly to be at their best in Champions LeagueSpeaking on TNT Sports’ YouTube channel this week, the former midfielder explained: “It will be interesting, if they can consolidate the top four or five, where the pressure is off there, they can prioritise the Champions League, and I think a fully fit Liverpool squad can go the distance.“Listen, Van Dijk, I’ve been for many years.
I think obviously Salah’s form this season hasn’t been the same as last season, but I think he is capable of turning it on and, you know, Liverpool have got the players and the pedigree as it goes on to get better and stronger, in my opinion. “And then if they start prioritising it because they’ve already sorted the league position out for next year, Liverpool can be dangerous in it.”While Gerrard’s plan would be the ideal scenario, Liverpool are already going to start having to switch their focus back towards the Champions League in the coming days.
If Gakpo and Salah aren’t to blame for their poor form, then who is? 🤔 Slot was quick to move any blame away from Gakpo after being asked about one goal in nine games…Credit: Molly Darlington/Getty Images Liverpool third most likely to win Champions LeagueThey are set to take on Galatasaray in the first of two last-16 legs this coming Tuesday.Liverpool are heavy favourites to beat the Turkish side and progress into the quarter-finals despite the Reds suffering a 1-0 loss thanks to a Victor Osimhen goal when the pair met in the group phase earlier this season.Meanwhile, ahead of the return to European action, Opta’s supercomputer makes Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal (27.75%) the most likely side to lift the trophy later this year.Bayern Munich are ranked second, with a 15.47% chance of winning the 2025/26 Champions League.As for Liverpool, they take third place (10.87%), just slightly ahead of their long-time Premier League rivals Manchester City (10.39%).Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox