Champions League icon shares his predictions for Liverpool’s first European quest under Arne Slot

With the opening matches of the Champions League fast approaching, a four-time winner of Europe’s most prestigious competition has given his verdict on how he thinks Liverpool will fare.

The Reds return to the tournament after a one-year absence and will face AC Milan at the San Siro on Tuesday, September 17.

Liverpool have been handed a tough draw with key fixtures coming up against defending champions Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, unbeaten in the Bundesliga last season, who will both travel to Anfield.

Arne Slot has already named his Champions League squad for the first phase of the tournament and the Dutchman will be hoping for some continental success in his first season on Merseyside.

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How will Liverpool fare?

Speaking to the Express, former Barcelona and Manchester United defender Gerard Pique has revealed his predictions for this season’s Champions League.

The Catalan legend, who has won the competition four times during his career, named Real Madrid and Manchester City as favourites but gave his opinion on how he thinks Liverpool will fare.

“Liverpool, with a new coach, are in second place among the favourites,” Pique said.

“I think City and Madrid are at the top, then there is a second tier where you have Liverpool, PSG, Arsenal, Barcelona and Bayern Munich.”

Pique’s assessment therefore places Liverpool alongside four other European powerhouses, all of whom reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season.

The 2010 World Cup winner also gave some insight into the clash between Real Madrid and Liverpool, saying: “It will be a very good game. I think Real are favourites, but it is very difficult to win. [the competition].”

Liverpool’s European pedigree

Having won six European Cups, Liverpool are by far the most decorated English team in terms of European success.

Under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds have reached three Champions League finals in four seasons, beating Tottenham Hotspur to win the trophy for the sixth time but losing to Real Madrid the other two times.

After spending last season in the Europa League, Liverpool fans will be hoping new boss Slot can lead his men far in the competition to mark their return to the top tier of European football.

The Reds have already enjoyed a perfect start to the Premier League season, taking all nine available points, and the Anfield faithful will be hoping Slot translates that domestic form onto the European stage.

But first, Liverpool must remain focused on their next game against Nottingham Forest which, given the injuries to Alexis Mac Allister and Harvey Elliott, might not be as straightforward as it seems.