Liverpool mightn’t have saved their unbeaten Champions League streak alive, however they completed as ‘league part’ winners and now know their 4 attainable opponents – however who could be finest?
Liverpool’s defence allow them to down in Eindhoven as they twice allowed PSV to revive stage phrases earlier than conceding a 3rd to see the match finish in a uncommon defeat underneath Arne Slot.
To not fear, although, the Reds nonetheless completed the league part as ‘league’ leaders and may now comfortably watch the play-offs with their toes up.
They are going to face both Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Monaco or Brest within the final 16, however we gained’t discover out for sure till subsequent month.
Right here, Joanna Durkan (@JoannaDurkan_) and Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) focus on the 3-2 defeat at PSV and the Reds’ subsequent potential opponent within the knockout rounds.
The great…
JOANNA: Away from the motion, the away assist was good. ‘A Liverbird Upon My Chest’ is among the finest songs and I rapidly heard it on the published – it felt unending in all the most effective methods.
The extra we hear of it at Anfield and on the highway the higher!
The plain optimistic on the pitch for me was Federico Chiesa. I used to be pleasantly stunned he performed the total 90 minutes, the primary time he’s performed whistle to whistle for us.
He’s direct in assault when others aren’t and he creates a excessive quantity of probabilities/photographs on objective – he simply maybe must lookup once in a while as he did miss apparent passes within the second half.
Having Chiesa as an possibility is just going to profit us on this very lengthy season.
A TEAM THAT PLAYS THE LIVERPOOL WAY ?
For the final 10 minutes in Eindhoven ? pic.twitter.com/vXhQghTYsi
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) January 29, 2025
HENRY: Jo learn my thoughts – listening to ‘A Liverbird…’ was good. It went on and on, in a great way!
McConnell stood out for me as the largest optimistic, wanting so assured in midfield and showing to have bulked up, too.
It’s unlikely that he’ll characteristic far more this season, however he’s proven he is an efficient possibility.
I agree with Jo that Chiesa was good, too. I beloved watching him throughout Euro 2020 and this was far more like that model of him.
He’s not excellent, however might produce some massive cameos within the coming months. Plus, he LOVES the membership!
JOANNA: And we will’t neglect that 9 gamers had been rested, that might be large for us later within the season.
The unhealthy…
JOANNA: I’m truthfully so gutted for Nallo. Your dream debut in a Champions League recreation for Liverpool and also you get despatched off simply minutes later. Truthfully, you’d need the bottom to swallow you up.
He’ll have loads of assist, little doubt, and he’s a brilliant prospect so it is only one he has to study from.
I’d say not numerous the perimeter gamers did an ideal job of providing a convincing argument for extra begins, however at the least loads bought 90 minutes.
HENRY: That was a gut-wrenching second for Nallo – I’m nonetheless feeling sorry for him now.
You spend all these years dreaming of your Liverpool debut after which that occurs! It’s merciless, and I hope he bounces again from it.
I’ll be sincere, I’m dropping religion in Quansah a bit now.
He solely turned 22 this week, so it’s pointless being overly harsh, however this season has been a wrestle and I believed he was poor final night time, as was Bradley.
I assume the defeat was a unfavourable, however then once more, it’s among the many most meaningless losses in latest reminiscence!
And we all know 4 attainable last-16 opponents, because it stands, who would you most prefer to see Liverpool face?
JOANNA: I really feel like we are going to find yourself with PSG, so much clearly hinges on Friday’s draw, but when it was my selection I’d select Brest merely for the actual fact we’ve by no means performed them earlier than (no puns, please!).
They completed 18th within the league part and we all know we are going to play the second leg at residence, a useful benefit to have and one rightfully earned.
I don’t worry any of the 4 and will probably be intriguing to see the way it performs out as our path to the semi-final appears to be like type on paper!
• READ: Liverpool’s route in Champions League revealed – AVOID 13 groups till semis
HENRY: Should. Not. Make. Brest. Pun.
However yeah, I’d like Brest, please!
They really feel just like the ‘best’ of the 4, which isn’t to say they need to be underestimated.
As Jo says, although, there’s a bloody inevitability about it being PSG, which I might actually do with out.
Then once more, Liverpool are the most effective workforce in Europe and the favourites to win the Champions League so we actually ought to worry no person.