Liverpool’s Perfect Champions League Run Prompts “Favourites” Discussion

Following Alisson Becker’s five saves for Liverpool against Girona, and with the team achieving six consecutive victories, leading their league, and seeing “one of the world’s best keepers” back in the starting lineup, the question arises: are Liverpool now considered favourites to win the Champions League? Arne Slot’s team has commenced their European campaign exceptionally well this season, and their victory against Girona on Tuesday night has effectively allowed them to bypass the play-off stage, securing their place in the Champions League last 16. Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender, believes Liverpool possesses “ridiculous” momentum and that “form-wise they have to be” considered frontrunners. In an interview with TNT Sports, Ferdinand stated that the Reds “have all the make-up to be very successful” but cautioned that circumstances could become “very different come April”. He commented: “Form-wise they have to be the favourites at the moment but the trophy isn’t handed out now.” He added: “They have been perfect so far.” Ferdinand further explained: “He can take players like a Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah out of the team for the latter two games now. They have been fighting on all fronts before and run out of steam but keeping players as fresh as possible is imperative.” Stephen Warnock, a former Liverpool defender, also remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live: “What we can say is, Liverpool for anyone will be a very, very tough game this season in both the Premier League and the Champions League.” Liverpool currently leads the Champions League table following six matches and holds a four-point advantage at the summit of the Premier League, having played one fewer game. This level of success was not widely anticipated. The match concluded with Girona 0-1 Liverpool, prompting Stephen Warnock’s reaction to Liverpool’s victory. In September, prior to the commencement of the league phase, Opta had assigned Liverpool a 4.6% probability of winning the Champions League. Six other teams were projected with higher percentages, notably Manchester City at 24.9% and Arsenal at 6.3%. However, Liverpool has since embarked on an exceptional performance streak in the tournament. Arne Slot, who took on the role of succeeding the iconic Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, appears to have settled in seamlessly at Anfield. In fact, the Dutch manager holds the distinction of being the sole manager to secure victories in all of his initial six Champions League fixtures with an English club. The former Feyenoord manager has orchestrated the following results: AC Milan 1-3 Liverpool Liverpool 2-0 Bologna RB Leipzig 0-1 Liverpool Liverpool 4-0 Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool 2-0 Real Madrid Girona 0-1 Liverpool Predictably, these statistical probabilities have subsequently been revised. Prior to the current week’s matches, the Reds’ likelihood of clinching the tournament title had surged to 20.7%, positioning them as favourites. Opta further estimated their chances of reaching the semi-finals at 51.3%. Mohamed Salah, with 46 goals, has ascended to joint 12th place on the all-time Champions League goalscoring list, alongside Filippo Inzaghi and Erling Haaland. On Tuesday, Liverpool received a significant boost with the return of Alisson, whom Slot described as “the best goalkeeper in the world” following the match. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who executed five saves in the first half, contributed to extending the club’s clean sheet streak in the competition to nearly nine hours. He had been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury during a victory at Crystal Palace on 5 October. Slot remarked: “We have an incredible goalkeeper. I said as a joke, maybe the players wanted to see how fit he was to give him so much work.” He continued: “If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results.” Slot further stated: “I’m really pleased with the five games, the way we played. I am far from pleased about the performance tonight.” Substitute goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher generally performed well during his time deputising, although he was responsible for Newcastle’s late equalizing goal in a 3-3 draw last Wednesday. Liverpool’s reliance also extends to forward Mohamed Salah, whose contributions are driving the Reds to victories this season. He shares the distinction for the most goals and assists across Europe’s top five leagues this season, being level with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush at 28. The 32-year-old, whose current contract is set to conclude this summer, is in exceptional scoring form and has become the 11th player to achieve 50 Champions League goals, a tally that includes the four goals he netted in qualifying rounds. Following his penalty goal against Girona on Tuesday, the Egypt international forward has accumulated 16 goals in 22 appearances across all competitions, with seven of those goals coming in his last six matches. Therefore, with a prolific forward, a key defensive player back in action, and a manager enjoying an exceptional start, are Liverpool now your Champions League favourites?