Liverpool remains firmly in contention to secure multiple trophies this season, with club legend Jamie Carragher sharing his thoughts on their potential silverware haul as their path in the Champions League begins to take shape.
As the draw for the knockout rounds of the 2024/25 Champions League unfolded, Liverpool found itself in a favorable position, avoiding the play-off round that saw European heavyweights Manchester City and Real Madrid battle it out in a gripping contest. The Reds, having topped the league phase, have earned direct qualification to the Round of 16, where their possible opponents have now been narrowed down.
While hopes of an unprecedented quadruple were dashed following their FA Cup exit against Plymouth—where Arne Slot opted to prioritize other competitions by fielding a heavily rotated squad—the possibility of a treble remains very much alive. Liverpool is leading the Premier League, has already booked its place in one final, and is now setting its sights on Champions League glory.
However, uncertainty lingers over who Liverpool will face in the Round of 16, as UEFA has delayed the draw until the completion of the play-offs. Based on the seeding system, the Reds can only be drawn against one of four teams: Benfica, Monaco, Brest, or PSG.
Among these options, one opponent stands out significantly. PSG took a giant stride toward qualification after a commanding 3-0 victory over Brest in their first-leg encounter, all but confirming their place in the next round.
This means Liverpool, alongside Barcelona, is staring at a 50 percent chance of being paired with the French giants—an outcome that feels like an unfair reward for finishing first and second in the league phase, respectively.
Meanwhile, as Liverpool continues its Premier League title push with a crucial Merseyside derby clash against Everton, Benfica and Monaco are set to lock horns in their own Champions League showdown. By the end of the evening, Liverpool’s potential road to the final could become even clearer.
Keeping all this in mind, Jamie Carragher has weighed in on Liverpool’s trophy prospects. He believes that while Slot’s squad has the strength to secure both the Premier League title and the Carabao Cup, the Champions League might prove to be a step too far.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher was asked whether Liverpool could complete a treble this season. His response was clear: “No, I don’t think so. The Champions League is always unpredictable. For me, the Premier League is the biggest priority for Liverpool this season.”
He elaborated further, saying, “As we move into March and April, if Liverpool are playing a huge Champions League game on a Wednesday, then a must-win Premier League match on the Saturday, I think the league will take precedence. I see Liverpool winning the league and the Carabao Cup, but the Champions League will be difficult.”
Liverpool boasts one of the deepest squads in the league, which has helped them stay competitive across multiple fronts. Unlike some of their rivals, they have largely avoided significant injury setbacks—something that has plagued Arsenal, with Kai Havertz now ruled out for the rest of the season. However, the FA Cup defeat to Plymouth showed that making wholesale changes is not a viable option if they want to remain competitive.
Slot will undoubtedly aim to field his strongest lineups in both the Premier League and the Champions League, but fixture congestion could become a major challenge as the season progresses.
Should PSG emerge as their next European opponent in early March, Liverpool will be facing a side that is beginning to peak at the perfect time. While PSG struggled during the group stage, they are now showing signs of finding their best form, especially with their Ligue 1 campaign practically wrapped up, allowing them to focus entirely on European success.
That being said, Liverpool remains one of the strongest teams in Europe, and Slot’s side will back themselves to take on any opponent, including PSG. While Carragher is right to highlight the challenges of completing a treble, Liverpool will undoubtedly be strategizing their path toward securing a record-extending seventh European Cup.
