Liverpool have been told to forget about winning the Champions League this season and focus on their battle for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Charlie Austin has told talkSPORT Jurgen Klopp’s side have no chance of beating the likes of Man City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain or an Erling Haaland-inspired Borussia Dortmund before they progressed to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
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However, former Red Jermaine Pennant insists Liverpool are still a match for any team in the world, despite their recent collapse of form.
The Champions League is a chance for salvation and redemption for Klopp’s men after the disastrous defence of their Premier League title, with the champions down in eighth, 22 points adrift of leaders Manchester City and the club tipped for a tough battle just to finish in the top-four.
There have been suggestions Liverpool’s best chance of qualifying for next year’s Champions League would be to give up their top-four chase and go all-out for the European Cup.
But Austin laughed off those claims on Wednesday, telling the talkSPORT Breakfast: “They’ve got more of a chance and a better chance of finishing in the top-four than winning the Champions League.
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“Who are they going to beat to win the Champions League? You’re talking Man City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund – these are massive teams and I just don’t think Liverpool can win the Champions League over them.
“If they face Dortmund, Erling Haaland is going to tear Liverpool’s back-four apart. He’s at the top of his game and if he goes up against a makeshift centre-half pairing he’s going to give them massive problems!
“And with the run they’re on at the moment, everyone in the Champions League will want to play them.
“Liverpool are not doing it in the Premier League at the moment, but there’s 12 games still to play, 36 points, and 30 points get them in the top-four. I don’t know who is going to drop out, Leicester?
“I think Liverpool will get in the top-four still, if they go for it. If they sack off the Premier League and go for the Champions League, and then don’t win it, then what?”
But Pennant argued against the QPR striker, with the former Liverpool winger backing the calls for Klopp to rest his best team for Europe.
“It’s painful to say and painful to see, but as of now I’d say they’re better off concentrating on the Champions League,” said the 2007 finalist with the Reds.
“Losing six home games for the first time, their form in the Premier League is just off and unless I see a change in their league form in the next couple of games, I’d say they’re better suited to do that.
“It’s a cup competition, it’s about the best team on the day and Liverpool are still a great team.
“Yes, they’ve got a lot of injuries, but if they come out flying in a cup competition then maybe they can progress further in the Champions League.
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“The good thing for them is the game isn’t at Anfield, which is crazy to say. Hopefully it’ll take that pressure off them. They can get away from the stresses of the Premier League, they’re in a different environment in another competition and they’re playing well in it.
“Hopefully that can give this team a bit of a breath of fresh air, and they need it.
“I think Liverpool can beat anybody on the day, teams will be just as scared of Liverpool despite their form, because on their day they can beat any time.
“All the teams left in the competition have a chance of winning, so this is probably the best chance Liverpool have got. It’s a slim chance, yes, but it’s a chance.
“If Liverpool get Borussia Dortmund next they’ve got a good chance of beating them, if they turn up as the Liverpool we know.
“But if they’re going to win they’re going to need the luck of the draw, if they get one of the top teams it’s going to be difficult.”
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