Liverpool have arguably cemented themselves as the best team in Europe and failure to win the Champions League would most likely be self-inflicted, Reds expert David Lynch has claimed.
The Merseysiders emerged as 2-0 victors against Brentford last Saturday, returning to winning ways after two consecutive draws, and they are set to host Lille at Anfield on Tuesday in their seventh Champions League match of 2024-25.
Arne Slot's side are the only team to have won all six of their Champions League games so far and need only one more point to automatically qualify for the round of 16.
Liverpool's position is an advantageous one, but Lynch does not believe that Slot will look to make fundamental changes to the team that beat Brentford, telling Sports Mole: "I've heard the talk that [Slot] would rotate for this one - I completely disagree with that suggestion. I think he will go as strong as he possibly can for this one. Maybe there will be a few changes in there that he can make.
"Left back [could be an area of change], maybe Diaz [gets a] rest out of that centre-forward role and he throws Nunez in there, but I don't expect to see the likes of Chiesa or Harvey Elliott start this one because it's an important game for a few reasons.
"Champions League wins are worth a lot of money and when you're trying to renew three contracts, every penny counts, so there's value there. Also, if Liverpool win and Barca slip up, then Liverpool would have sealed top spot with a game to spare, which [would] turn that PSV Eindhoven game into a dead rubber that, if you feel when you get to that one that you want to make changes, you absolutely can and it doesn't matter too much."
Lille should not be underestimated as they come into the clash unbeaten in 21 games and are currently third in Ligue 1, so they will undoubtedly pose some challenges at Anfield.
What teams could threaten Liverpool's Champions League ambitions?
Liverpool have only conceded one goal in this season's Champions League, and that record makes them the competition's joint best defensive side.
The Reds have also beaten the likes of Real Madrid, RB Leipzig and AC Milan this term, and were deserving winners in all three of those fixtures.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch expressed his view that Slot should not be afraid of any team they might draw in the round of 16, saying: "In most seasons Manchester City [would be a team to avoid] but it's in doubt whether they're going to go through or not, so even if they hit a bit of form - which I find very hard to see even with the January signings - they're still going to have huge midfield issues. I discount them from the thinking.
"In terms of who [Liverpool] might worry about, you've got your traditional big hitters. Real Madrid are freaks in this competition and they should always be scared of that. Barcelona [are] a bit up and down in their form recently, but they've got quality on the wings that could really hurt Liverpool. Bayern Munich obviously - real quality there that could hurt you if they're on a good day.
"But I don't think [there's] anyone Liverpool should fear. For me, they are playing like the best team in Europe at the moment - Thomas Frank said [Liverpool are the] best team in the world, and those two things go hand in hand."
Liverpool are first in the Premier League and have a relatively healthy squad compared to rivals like Real Madrid, while others such as Manchester City have significantly regressed in terms of performance level.
© Imago
Could Liverpool be their own worst enemy?
It should be noted that while Liverpool boast the joint best defensive record in the competition, Kylian Mbappe missed a penalty at Anfield on November 27, with Andrew Robertson fouling Lucas Vazquez in the box when the Reds were leading 1-0.
Robertson has been the subject of criticism this season, though left-back Kostas Tsimikas has at times failed to show the consistency needed to claim a starting spot.
Lynch told Sports Mole that he believes that Liverpool's greatest obstacle to Champions League glory would be themselves, saying: "I'm not dead set on Liverpool necessarily needing to sign someone in January, [but] the one area they could do something that would move the dial is left-back - I just don't expect that that will happen.
"I think they'll win the league regardless, they can absolutely mask that problem, but in a Champions League tie where it's tight and moments matter and the odd goal can decide it, I worry about one of the left-backs having a bad game and it costing [Liverpool] massively in a big moment.
"That's my only concern, but if that doesn't happen and Liverpool can mask that issue successfully over the remainder of the competition, they're favourites to win it for a reason. They are, by every metric at the moment, the best team in Europe."
Liverpool have overcome adversity domestically - losing just twice all season - and given Slot has often found ways of adapting to different challenges, it would not be surprising if he managed to mitigate any potential weakness on the left side of defence.
Lewis Nolan
