Liverpool handed ‘particular’ verdict to present Arne Slot hope regardless of Premier League woes
Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden believes the Anfield atmosphere gives Arne Slot’s side a genuine chance of winning the Champions League despite their domestic difficulties
Arne Slot’s side have endured a difficult campaign(Image: Kate McShane, Getty Images)
Former Liverpool midfielder Bolo Zenden reckons the atmosphere at Anfield alone could propel Arne Slot’s squad to Champions League glory.
While it’s been a challenging second season for Slot, the Reds impressed during the league stage of Europe’s premier competition. Despite suffering a poor 4-1 home loss to PSV Eindhoven, Liverpool secured their spot in the knockout rounds by claiming third place in the opening phase.
This stands in sharp contrast to their struggling Premier League title defence, which has left Slot’s men trailing behind Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and league leaders Arsenal. Yet regardless of their patchy domestic performances, Zenden is convinced the Anfield faithful always provide the Reds with a fighting chance in the Champions League.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo at bet365’s celebration of their UEFA Champions League Big Ticket Giveaway, Zenden explained: “The thing obviously with Liverpool is that the European competition is always something special.
“It seems like it always triggers something with the fans and with the players and the whole vibe around the club when playing in Europe is something special. That could just put them in a position where they can actually go all the way.
“They’ve been there and done it before. They’ve won a few of those Champions League trophies, so they know what it’s like to get all the way. But it’s never easy. It’s never easy.”
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
Last term, the Reds finished top of the Champions League league phase, only to crash out on spot-kicks to eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain. Slot bemoaned his team’s rotten luck in being paired with the French giants at the time, who had scraped into the knockout stages before demolishing Brest 10-0 across two legs to reach the last 16.
It perfectly illustrated how the tournament’s revamped format can throw two European powerhouses together early on. Yet whilst there’s always the danger of meeting one of the contenders, there’s also the chance of securing a favourable path through the competition.
With this in mind, Zenden reckoned any poor domestic form might actually fuel greater desire and ambition in Europe. The Dutchman, who turned out 47 times for Liverpool, said: “For all the teams, these draws are very important to see how far you can get into the tournament.
“Another problem obviously with Liverpool is that they’ve done really well in the Champions League, but within the Premier League they’ve trailed a bit at the minute.
“But on the other hand, that could also mean that, maybe because of all the things that have happened this season already, it’s an extra motivation to do well when the European competition is there.”
Liverpool face a lengthy wait to discover their first-round knockout stage opponents, as the Champions League play-offs won’t conclude until February 25.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
