{"id":836807,"date":"2026-03-19T19:14:26","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/836807\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T19:14:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T19:14:26","slug":"identifying-the-biggest-threat-from-each-of-liverpools-seven-champions-league-rivals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/836807\/","title":{"rendered":"Identifying the biggest threat from each of Liverpool’s seven Champions League rivals"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

Liverpool are through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with just seven teams standing in the way of a seventh trophy lift in the competition. <\/strong><\/p>\n

With the Premier League well out of reach, European success is the top priority for Arne Slot<\/a>. <\/p>\n

After a third-place finish in the league phase and a convincing win over Galatasaray, Liverpool<\/a> will feel as though they can make up for a rather dismal domestic season with a deep run in the tournament. <\/p>\n

CHANGE MY MIND: Liverpool are still the best team in Europe on their day <\/p>\n

After watching all of the other quarter-finalists, the Reds have nobody to fear in the Champions League \ud83c\udfc6<\/p>\n

\"ThePhoto by Marco Canoniero\/LightRocket via Getty Images <\/p>\n

There will be no shortage of challenges along the way, though. We\u2019ve pooled our minds together at Rousing The Kop<\/strong> to identify each remaining team\u2019s biggest weapon that Liverpool could have to deal with in the latter stages of this season\u2019s Champions League<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The biggest threats to Liverpool still in the Champions League Sporting CP \u2013 Luis Suarez <\/p>\n

No, not that Luis Suarez. <\/p>\n

The Sporting striker has been a revelation since taking over the role of talisman from Viktor Gyokeres. He has 28 goals so far this season, including five in Europe. <\/p>\n

If Liverpool are to face Sporting, it could only be in the final. That\u2019s a draw the Reds would relish, but it would require the Portuguese giants getting past Arsenal and one of Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.<\/p>\n

Arsenal \u2013 The best defence in Europe <\/p>\n

Again, Arsenal will only face Liverpool if both make it to the final. The biggest threat they have is a defensive solidity unmatched in Europe. <\/p>\n

To be honest, their attack doesn\u2019t look capable of winning the Champions League, but if they are in the final, it means their defence has been that good. <\/p>\n

Liverpool have not lost to the Premier League leaders in two meetings this season, but if they can keep us from finding an attacking rhythm, it could be heartbreak in Budapest. <\/p>\n

Atletico Madrid \u2013 Going behind<\/p>\n

Another potential final matchup is against Diego Simeone\u2019s Atletico Madrid. Liverpool emerged 3-2 victors when the two sides met at the start of the season thanks to some late heroics from Virgil van Dijk. <\/p>\n

While they have quality in the forward areas too, the real danger with them is going behind in the final. We have seen on countless occasions over the years just how effective Simeone is at parking the bus. <\/p>\n

With a Champions League trophy, he would complete his Atletico career. So if they were to go in front, we should expect a win-at-all-costs approach. Imperative that Liverpool score first if this matchup materialises. <\/p>\n

Barcelona \u2013 Lamine Yamal<\/p>\n

Not sure there\u2019s much to say about Lamine Yamal that we don\u2019t already know. The 18-year-old is already the best player on the planet (argue with the wall). <\/p>\n

\"LaminePhoto by Judit Cartiel\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

Barcelona\u2019s defensive frailties are well-documented, but so is their ability to score at will. <\/p>\n

With Pedri, the best midfielder in the world, pulling the strings behind the best player in the world \u2014 in what would be their first Champions League final \u2014 it\u2019s a scary proposition. Liverpool would need a solid game plan to contain Yamal and hopefully exploit their high line to get the win. <\/p>\n

Real Madrid \u2013 Kylian Mbappe <\/p>\n

Similar to Yamal, Kylian Mbappe\u2019s<\/a> inclusion needs no explanation. As we saw in the last World Cup final, he lives for the big moments. <\/p>\n

Madrid are on our side of the bracket, so that would be a semi-final clash. Slot would have to be feeling somewhat confident, having beaten Los Blancos twice since arriving at Anfield. <\/p>\n

But we have been spurned by Madrid too many times not to expect a vastly improved outfit at the business end of the season. Mbappe will also be desperate to go all the way, having left PSG right before they did so last year. <\/p>\n

Bayern Munich \u2013 Luis Diaz revenge <\/p>\n

This is more of a personal fear, but I have a bad feeling about Luis Diaz<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Bayern are maybe the favourites to win the competition and have threats all over the pitch. The narrative just feels too perfect with the recently-departed Red. <\/p>\n

Liverpool didn\u2019t want to give him his payday, and the Colombian has been nothing short of world-class since moving to Germany. Especially considering the lack of defensive quality to defend his flank, he\u2019s who I would be most concerned with if Liverpool meet Bayern in the semi-final. <\/p>\n

Discuss: Arne Slot could win Liverpool fans back if he keeps showing passion on the touchline <\/p>\n

There was much more energy vs Galatasaray, could that change things?<\/p>\n

\"ArnePhoto Credit: Getty Images\/Carl Recine PSG \u2013 The first leg<\/p>\n

Now to our actual next opponents. <\/p>\n

Liverpool face PSG in the quarter-finals<\/a> in a rematch from last season. The eventual winners barely squeezed past us on penalties, but only because a first-leg masterclass from Alisson Becker at the Parc des Princes kept the Reds in striking distance. <\/p>\n

The main concern is the first leg in Paris. Liverpool need to exercise severe caution. <\/p>\n

PSG have all the quality to blow any team out of the water, and anything more than a two-goal deficit (preferably one goal) would present a task going back to Anfield<\/a> that I\u2019m not sure Liverpool are up to. <\/p>\n

Join Our Newsletter<\/p>\n

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