'Fully expect': Alan Shearer predicts how Liverpool will do in the CL this season after beating AC Milan
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Liverpool kicked off their Champions League campaign with a win over AC Milan on Tuesday.
The Reds are back at the top table of European football after dropping into the Europa League last season.
During Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, Liverpool became one of the sides to beat on the continent year after year.
The Reds made it to three finals in total under their former manager, winning one and losing the other two. But with Arne Slot now in charge at Anfield, expectations may need to revised a little.
After seeing them set things off in the right way, though, Alan Shearer has given his take on whether Slot can have Liverpool challenging for the top prize in European club football once gain.
Alan Shearer offers Liverpool prediction
A trip to San Siro is never easy, whether you’re playing AC Milan or Inter. However, Liverpool found Milan in poor shape on Tuesday.
Despite taking the lead through Christian Pulisic, Paulo Fonseca’s team never really looked like winning.
After the game, Fonseca admitted that Liverpool are ‘more of a team‘ than his own side at the moment and although Slot arrived at the same time the Portuguese did in Milan, that appears to be true.
There is still plenty of time for things to change in the Champions League, however. The new format means that there are more games than ever, with each team playing eight different opponents.
From there, the top eight will qualify, with ninth to 24th taking part in a knockout round against each other.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer raves about what ‘magnificent’ Liverpool player did against AC Milan
And speaking on Amazon Prime Sport after Tuesday’s match, Shearer proclaimed that he ‘fully expects’ Liverpool to get into those top eight positions.
“I would fully expect Liverpool would finish in the top eight,” said the former England striker.
“So, they wouldn’t have to go into the qualification in the New Year. I think they’ve got enough quality in the team.”
Who else will be favourites?
Of course, everyone is still waiting to see how things will play out with the new format here. Who finishes in the top positions will not solely be down to who is the best team. With each team playing different fixtures, a favourable draw can really help.
Talking in simple terms, though, are Liverpool really one of the best eight teams in Europe at the moment?
Both Man City and Arsenal finished ahead of them in the Premier League last season and will both fancy themselves in that regard, as will Real Madrid, the current European champions.
Bayern Munich won 9-2 in their opening fixture and are always right up there, while the likes of Inter, PSG and even Barcelona might have a claim.
Others such as Atletico Madrid and Juventus also have pedigree and are likely to be towards the top of the table. Looking at that, however, and you’d say Liverpool should be right amongst it.
