Do Liverpool have enough to make waves in this season's Champions League?

A new Liverpool 

Liverpool enter the European fray as a vastly different side to that of last season. 

A year ago, the Reds were the reigning Premier League champions and under the charge of Arne Slot, but the walls around the Dutchman soon closed in following a dismal title defence and a European term that saw them comfortably knocked out at the quarter-final stage by eventual winners PSG. 

Now it's Andoni Iraola's time. A move from Bournemouth, where he oversaw a first European finish for the South Coast side, has seen the Spaniard earn his shot at Anfield and will oversee a European season for the first time in his management career. 
 

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Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left Merseyside, with an evolution taking place under Iraola that includes the arrival of new £125m signing Bradley Barcola as well as rejuvenated Alexander Isak following a disappointing first season at the club. 

Yet it's a squad that fans feel still lacks depth in key areas. Salah's place on the right flank hasn't really been replaced, while defensively, the side still looks short at full-back, and Virgil van Dijk has more heavy lifting to do alongside two very talented - but young - centre-back partners. 

Champions League chances 

What does that mean then for their Champions League chances? 

Right now it's fair to say that Liverpool would be outsiders to make it all the way to Madrid for the final next year, as there are too many question marks over the balance of the squad. 

As well as the concern in the depth of the squad, there's also a lack of a midfield anchor in the vein of a Declan Rice, a Moises Caicedo or Elliot Anderson. 

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Ryan Gravenberch has adapted to that role adequately, especially in their title-winning season, but it's never been his natural game, and Iraola clearly doesn't see him in the position, having failed to start him there for the last two league games. 

In the Champions League, that void could find them wanting. 

There's also the worry that this is Iraola's first rodeo on the European scene. Yes, he's proven his credentials in the Premier League - where he's unbeaten since January - but he's yet to cope with a European schedule and prove he has what it takes to go deep into such a competition. 

There's no doubt the firepower is there, especially with Isak finding form with Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz looking like he's found the right role, but can it take Liverpool all the way? 

No love lost 

Tonight we'll get a first glimpse of what this new Liverpool can do on the European stage, against a side who have morphed into a real rival to the Reds. 

Last season's injury-time win over Diego Simeone's men was a fiery affair. Simeone was sent off after an altercation with a Liverpool fan, and there were also reports of one of his backroom staff allegedly clashing with home supporters and spitting at fans. 

That's not something Anfield has forgotten and a hostile atmosphere could be apparent for the Spanish side as they return to the scene of the crime. 

It's an added touch of spice to what is a massive occasion for the new manager, who will want to prove he and his team do have what it takes to compete and bring more European glory to this famous club in 2027. 

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