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Saturday, December 14, 2024

Liverpool Are No Longer Europe’s Underdogs

  • The Reds lost out on both the Premier League title and EPL’s Player of the Season to Manchester City.
  • They will attempt to win their second UCL title in four years.
UEFA Champions League

Attempting to win their second Champions League title in four years Saturday, Liverpool are clearly one of Europe’s elite clubs — but it still feels like the Reds are playing with a chip on their shoulder.

The reason could be a pair of recent setbacks at the hands of Premier League rivals Manchester City.

The Sky Blues won the EPL title on the final day of the season — denying Liverpool an ultra-rare English quadruple. Then, City’s Kevin de Bruyne won Player of the Season over Mohamed Salah, despite the latter co-leading in goals with Tottenham’s Son Hyung-Min (23) and being first in assists (13).

But with their foreseeable future secured, the Reds won’t feel inferior in the final against Spanish titans Real Madrid.

  • Salah recently committed to play next season in the final year of his approximately $252,000/week contract, amid ongoing extension talks.
  • Manager Jurgen Klopp recently extended through 2026.
  • Liverpool’s defensive core — Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson Becker — are locked in with multiyear deals.

There’s at least one question mark this offseason: Forward Sadio Mane, who said he’ll reveal his future plans after the final, has been linked to Bayern Munich.

But for American owners Fenway Sports Group, a second European Cup with Liverpool (+105 favorites) would be just the latest proof of the firm’s reputation for revitalizing legendary franchises.

The holding company, led by John Henry, famously took the Boston Red Sox to a long-awaited World Series title in 2004 — and will now attempt to work its magic on the Pittsburgh Penguins and a potential NBA team.

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