'Right now': Steve Nicol points out the real difference between Liverpool and Barcelona this season

Yesterday at 12:30 PM

Liverpool will contest their final match of the league phase of the Champions League on Wednesday night.

The Reds travel to PSV Eindhoven knowing that a draw will secure them first place in the table, with a loss providing Barcelona with the opportunity to secure the top spot should the Catalan overcome a tough test in Atalanta.

Arne Slot has left several of Liverpool’s best players at home for the match, who will be given the day off on Wednesday ahead of their trip to Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

The Dutch coach doesn’t see too much of a difference between finishing first or second in the Champions League and although the 46-year-old plans on winning against PSV, the long-term goals of the season have to be prioritised.

PSV boss Peter Bosz has been impressed with Slot’s work at Liverpool and ahead of their contest in the Netherlands, former Reds defender Steve Nicol has been evaluating the Merseyside club’s chances in the competition this season.

• READ MORE: Steve Nicol names the trophy he really wants Liverpool to win while addressing quadruple hopes

Steve Nicol points out the difference between Liverpool and Barcelona

Nicol previously doubted Liverpool’s chances of winning the Champions League this season as the pundit believes that full focus should be on bringing the Premier League back to Anfield.

Having thought about it some more, it seems that the former Liverpool star has changed his mind as the Scottish pundit firmly believes the Merseyside club are the favourites to lift the European Cup at the end of the season.

When speaking about Barcelona’s chances of winning the competition this season, Nicol pointed out that the La Liga giants have too many flaws that could see them get knocked out at any stage, while that is a problem Liverpool do not have.

‘Right now, Liverpool are out on their own,’ Nicol said on ESPN FC. ‘Liverpool, right now, are quite some distance ahead of anybody else among the Champions League favourites. I don’t think there is any doubt about that.

‘When we talk about Liverpool this year, we are struggling to find flaws. When we start talking about Barcelona, the reason we are talking about them is because they have got a couple of huge flaws, particularly, their high line.’

The pundit continued by stating: ‘If the final was tomorrow, regardless of who Liverpool are playing, they would be favourites. I don’t think we can say that about Barcelona.’

The Reds are in a great position to win a seventh European Cup this season, but there is a major factor that could get in their way.

• READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano names the two Liverpool players Saudi Pro League clubs will do everything to sign

The biggest concern for Liverpool for the remainder of the season

Liverpool are flying at present and it looks like very little can stop them from winning the quadruple this season as other clubs around them struggle to show consistency.

The Reds are still fighting on all four fronts and that very fact is what could affect the Merseyside club later in the season.

Arsenal may only have the Premier League and Champions League to focus on by the end of next week, while Europe may be Barcelona’s only focus should they fall back any further in the La Liga title race – which is something Man City will have the ability to do also.

Other clubs can focus their resources on particular competitions, while Slot’s squad continue to fatigue as the campaign progresses.

This was an issue Jurgen Klopp ran into last season and in 2022, as Liverpool went very close to winning it all.

It will be very interesting to see how Slot manages this situation and if he does it successfully, the Dutch coach will be writing his name in the history books of English football.