All the latest Liverpool FC news as Arne Slot gears up for the opening match of the new Champions League campaign
David Beckham has predicted which team he thinks will win the Champions League this season(Image: CBS Sports Golazo on Paramount+)
David Beckham, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards have predicted which team will win the Champions League this season. Paris Saint-Germain stormed past Inter Milan in the final at the Allianz Arena last term, lifting the trophy for the first time in their history.
The French giants had a shaky start to the campaign, suffering defeats to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Manchester City in the group stage. Luis Enrique’s side managed to clinch qualification to the knockout stages via a two-legged play-off against Stade Brestois.
PSG shifted through the gears as they progressed through the tournament, going from strength to strength. The Parisians defeated Liverpool on penalties in the round of 16 before clambering past Aston Villa in the quarter-finals.
After cruising past Arsenal in the semi-finals, PSG put five past Inter, boasting the biggest ever win in a Champions League final. This season, Arne Slot will be determined to set the record straight and snatch the French giants’ crown.
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Speaking on CBS Sports on Monday night, Carragher, Richards and Beckham previewed the new campaign. Kate Scott asked each of them to make three predictions: the winner, the top goal scorer and the surprise package.
The former Liverpool defender got the ball rolling, picking Barcelona as his favourite to win the Champions League. Carragher said: “I’m going to go for Barcelona. I was really impressed with them last season, and I think they’ll go close again.”
He added: “Top scorer, I’ll go with [Alexander] Isak for Liverpool. I think Liverpool will go close. That would be a great final: Barcelona versus Liverpool. And surprise, the six English teams in the Champions League: I don’t think anyone had ever had six teams in the Champions League before.”
It is, in fact, the first time that any European country has ever had more than five clubs in the Champions League at one time. Carragher continued: “I do think the Premier League is the best league in Europe right now. But I think some of them will find it tough. I’ll be surprised if more than three qualify for the knockout stage.”
Richards tipped the reigning Spanish champions to win the Champions League too, though he backed Kylian Mbappe to grab the golden boot. The former Manchester City defender said: “I also had Barcelona, so I’ll keep it punchy.
“I think he explained it well. Kylian Mbappe has started the season well. Top scorer. And, I think Kylian Mbappe is going to win the Ballon d’Or. That is a surprise.”
Carragher wasn’t too pleased with Richards’ ‘surprise’ prediction. He said: “Why is that a surprise?” Richards replied: “Well, because everyone is writing him off!”
Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool striker Alexander Isak will be the top scorer in this season’s Champions League(Image: YouTube/Stick to Football podcast)
Carragher responded: “Why is the best player in the world winning the Ballon d’Or a surprise?”
Richards claimed Mbappe has been overlooked in the race for the Ballon d’Or, naming three of last season’s best performers in the Champions League as the favourites. He said: “You said Isak will be the top scorer, so why not Mbappe then?
“Everyone’s talking about Lamine [Yamal] the dream now, aren’t they? Everyone’s talking about [Ousmane] Dembele. Everyone’s talking about Raphinha. Everyone’s put to the side, Mbappe, so it’s a surprise. Ballon d’Or.”
Carragher described Richards’ reasoning as ‘absolute nonsense’ before turning to Beckham. The Manchester United legend backed Real Madrid to win the competition for a record 16th time.
“I think PSG will go close again this year, but I’m going to go with Real Madrid,” said Beckham. “I love Lamine. I think the hype about him is real, and I think he’s a hell of a talent, but I’m going to go the same as you, Kylian.
“I think Kylian, last season, he scored the goals that he scored. Of course, as a Real Madrid player, if you don’t win much, then it’s a bad season. Kylian had a great season. I really believe that this season is going to be his season in La Liga and the Champions League.”
Beckham added: “My surprise would have to be people are already writing Newcastle off. I think Newcastle are a good team, and I think they’ve got some good players. They’re very together as a team, and as fans, and as a club. I think that they could surprise a few people.”
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