GOAL US writers make Champions League predictions, debate the magnitude of Liverpool's title win and who could rise next season
Liverpool won the Premier League, just in case you haven't heard from their fans yet. It's an admirable achievement from the Reds, who made the hardest league in the world look remarkably easy over the course of the season, wrapping up their second title in five years with four games to spare.
The vibes were immaculate at Anfield on Sunday, but there is room for concern. Liverpool may have sorted this all, but some changes are needed this offseason if they are to repeat.
Looking forward, there's European competition to get excited about. Having Real Madrid on the outside looking in at the Champions League seems a nice change of pace, given their recent dominance. It has also opened the door for new drama in the competition.
But who can capitalize? PSG are the presumptive favorites, their attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue ripping through all competitions so far this season. But a well-drilled Arsenal, fluid Barcelona and stout Inter will all have cases of their own to state in the semifinals.
But who can capitalize? PSG are considered by many to be the presumptive favorites, their attacking trio of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue ripping through all competitions so far this season. But a well-drilled Arsenal, fluid Barcelona and stout Inter will all have cases of their own to state in the semifinals.
Oddsmakers have actually made Barcelona the favorites at +200, followed by PSG (+240), Arsenal (+250) and Inter (+ 450). Meanwhile, Raphinha is favored to win the Champions League Golden Boot race. He is listed at +110, followed by Serhou Guirassy (+160) and Robert Lewandowski (+700).
It will be a fascinating duo of fixtures this midweek.
GOAL US writers break it all down in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty Images SportBarcelona vs Inter – who will win?
Tom Hindle: It's hard to look past Barcelona on form, BUT Inter have been here before – and it seems like it might just be their time to win this thing. Simeone Inzaghi is an expert operator in the Champions League, too, and will undoubtedly have a plan for the Roberto Lewandowski-less Blaugrana. Inter. Just.
Jacob Schneider: Inter are on a skid right now. They're winless in four and have lost three straight across all competitions heading into leg one. Barca, meanwhile, just won the Copa Del Rey in emphatic fashion over Real Madrid. The Blaugrana are confident, and playing stellar soccer at the moment. Considering the form of Raphinha and Lamine Yamal? Barca to the final.
Ryan Tolmich: Right now, Barca are the team of the moment – and if you didn't believe it before, just rewatch the Copa del Rey. Every year at this point in the season, it seems like one team just has that juice. Generally, that team is Real Madrid, but Barcelona just stared them down, beat them and made them lose their head for good measure. The Catalans own their local rivals this season, and wins like that will only give Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Co. further confidence that they're a team of destiny. Inter will be tough, no doubt, but the combination of vibes and talent at Barcelona will simply be too much.
Alex Labidou: This one is easy. Barca might be the best team in world football right now and there's few that would dispute Lamine Yamal being a Ballon D'Or contender at just 17. Inter are a great story and Serie A easily have the best title chase in Europe this season, but this is where their Champions League journey ends. Fully expect Barca to easily get by Inter and head to the final.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesArsenal vs PSG – who will win?
TH: Arsenal. Mikel Arteta has assembled this team in a really interesting way. We all had a go at them for not signing a big-name striker, but, ironically, that has proved to be advantageous in the big games, when they can just grind out results – turning them into ugly midfield battles. They will be up for it against PSG, too. Chuck in a bit of Bukayo Saka magic (likely), and the Gunners will be playing in the final at the end of May. Also, you can guarantee a Parisian Champions League choke job.
JS: Arsenal deserve some credit for making it to the semis and knocking out Madrid. They've been great this year, and have been rather resilient in tough moments. PSG are going to advance, though. This squad, without Kylian Mbappe, is playing some of the best footy we've seen in a long time. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue are a mean front three, and the midfield trio of Fabian Ruiz, Joao Neves and Vitinha is just on another level.
RT: After years of coming oh-so-close, PSG seem to have figured out something that works. Yes, there is individual brilliance in this team. Yes, there are stars, or stars-in-the-making at least. However, this group has something prior ones always lacked: balance and accountability. PSG can still do silly tricks on the ball and create magic in the attacking third, but they're more solid than ever before. Arsenal are rock solid, too, particularly with Declan Rice balling out, but this run seems as if the soccer gods are rewarding PSG for finally figuring it all out.
AL: This is tough. PSG are this year's Cinderella story, albeit an extremely well-funded one. Yet, Arsenal almost HAVE to win this year's Champions League in order to rectify what has been a disappointing season otherwise. There haven't been reports of it yet, but one could imagine if Mikel Arteta will be asked serious questions if he can't take Arsenal to the final. Let's not forget, this is the same ownership group that shocked the NBA by firing NBA title-winning coach Michael Malone late this season. All of that points to Arsenal perhaps edging what will be arguably the tie of this year's Champions League.
GettyIs Arne Slot's debut season the greatest in Premier League history?
TH: Yes. Forget nuance. Next question.
JS: It's surely up there from a managerial standpoint – it's really impressive. A down year for City allowed them to swoop in with only one real contender in Arsenal – but that race was over by Christmas. They were consistent and competitive – job well done. The greatest first year in Premier League history, though, was Claudio Ranieri's Leicester City side in 2015-16. Nothing will ever top that.
RT: It's right up there. Only three other coaches had done it prior, and it could be argued each walked into a better situation. Slot deserves a lot of credit, for sure, for revamping this Liverpool team without spending much money. But he also had an incredible foundation laid out for him by Jurgen Klopp. Jose Mourinho's Chelsea and Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City didn't quite have that same title-winning pedigree when they walked through the door. The best was Mourinho, just because of how he backed up his own hype. But Slot's certainly right there, too.
AL: Mourinho's first year with Chelsea, on and off the pitch, might still be the best in league history. He changed so many dynamics of the league from his arrival, from the acceptance of foreign managers and tactics to scouting and building a core that would essentially carry the Blues for a decade. Slot is not on that level. But he has certainly led the second-most surprising campaign in Premier League's history – outside of Leicester, of course. Liverpool didn't sign a single impact player this season. He essentially took over a side that looked gassed and out of ideas under Klopp. Yes, Klopp is an incredible manager, but it was clear the Reds needed some new ideas and Slot provided that. It will be interesting to see how he builds off this.
Getty Images SportWhat do Liverpool need to do this summer to stay on top?
TH: The reality of modern sports is that you always have to strengthen when you're ahead. That means that the Reds will probably need to get busy in the market. They could really do with a more reliable striker (sorry, Darwin Nunez.) It's probably also worth thinking about a long-term Virgil Van Dijk replacement at center-back, left back cover, and perhaps a defensive midfielder to shore up that position. Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig would be a real coup to play up top. Antonee Robinson of Fulham seems an obvious one on the left side of defense – even if he is a little older than the 21-25 profile Liverpool usually target. If they can coax Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth to work his way into the defense, then there's every reason to believe they will be there – or thereabouts – next year.
JS: Buy a left back, sell Darwin Nunez, get rid of Federico Chiesa and try to keep Luis Diaz on their books. Milos Kerkez or Robinson seem the most likely fullbacks to acquire. Nunez, as chaotic and fun as he is, needs to be playing regularly – and a move away is the best for both parties. The Chiesa transfer has not worked out one bit, and with suitors trying to fly in for Diaz, they need to find a way to keep him.
RT: A few signings will certainly help. They'll need a right-back if Trent Alexander-Arnold does indeed leave, a left-back to help begin the Andy Robertson tradition and probably another center-back worth rotating into the team when Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez inevitably miss time. With whatever money is leftover, they should also probably pursue a striker that can reliably get them goals – unless Slot is willing to give Nunez one more go at it. Despite this team being champions, there's still significant surgery to do if they want to remain near the very top.
AL: They need to allow Slot to bring in his own guys and further shape the squad for his tactics. Yes, Mo Salah and Van Dijk remain, but it is very likely he'll lose Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid. Now is the time to see the rebuild that was essentially promised last season. Should be exciting for Liverpool fans, considering their manager's early success.