Ex-England striker Peter Crouch expects Liverpool to ‘fall short’ in the Champions League, picking out Bayern Munich, Arsenal and holders Paris Saint-Germain as his three favourites to lift the trophy.
Five of the six English sides competing in this year’s competition find themselves in the top eight entering this evening’s final round of league phase matches.
Manchester City – the 2023 winners – are the only Premier League team outside of the automatic qualification spots as it stands, with Pep Guardiola’s men sitting 11th ahead of their clash with Galatasaray.
But all is not lost for those clubs that finish between eighth and 24th when tonight’s action comes to an end.
Teams occupying the positions ninth to 16th will be seeded in the play-off phase, meaning the second game of their two-legged tie while be on home soil, while those that finish between 17th and 24th will go unseeded.
Last year, PSG side went all the way in the competition for the first time in their history having struggled in the group stage, finishing down in 15th in the table.
It’s proven a tricky second year for Arne Slot in charge of Liverpool but the Merseyside giants guaranteed themselves a place in the Champions League knockout phase after sweeping aside Marseille last time out.
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And despite their inconsistent form, Crouch believes the six-time European champions – who face Qarabag tonight – have the tools to cause a shock in this year’s tournament.
‘I think quite often you know the best team maybe in certain leagues doesn’t always win the Champions League,’ the former Liverpool, Tottenham forward told TNT Sports
‘It’s so hard to win the league and the Champions League, as has been proven over the course of time.
‘Look at Spurs last year, and Manchester United, really woeful in the Premier League but end up in a European final.
‘Liverpool have had an inconsistent time in the Premier League, but you know quite often you can throw all your eggs in the Champions League basket.
‘Someone like Liverpool will be well-equipped to do it. They’ve done it before.’
Crouch – who reached the Champions League final with Liverpool in 2007 – was impressed with the Reds’ all-round performance last time out against Marseille.
‘I thought they played really well,’ he added.
‘There’s been certainly some frailties I think this season, but I thought they were clinical.
‘I thought they looked solid. They weren’t really in any real danger, it felt like a real good performance.’
From personal experience, Crouch felt ‘more relaxed’ when playing for Liverpool and Tottenham in the Premier League as opposed to the Champions League.
When assessing the frontrunners for this year’s title, the ex-England international finds it hard to look past Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, Premier League leaders Arsenal and reigning champions PSG.
‘You’re just kind of more relaxed in the Premier League. You know you’re not right in the hunt for the Premier League,’ Crouch explained.
‘Yeah, of course, you’ve got to finish in the top four at a club like Liverpool always, but yeah, I can see a club like Liverpool going for it.
‘Do I think they will? They’ll probably just fall short, maybe.
‘I think I look at Bayern Munich, Arsenal, PSG, there’s still some top teams in there.
‘It’s very difficult to do but they’ve got as good a chance as any.’
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