7 months ago
97 The Europa League quarter-finals get underway tonight and Liverpool face a tough task against Serie A side Atalanta, with the first leg being played at Anfield – and Rio Ferdinand has given a prediction.
The Reds come into the game in fine fettle, sitting top of the Premier League table. They’ve lost just two of the last 25 games in all competitions, one to Arsenal in the League – and Man United in The FA Cup.
They’ve also won six of eight games in the Europa League so far and remain one of the bigger sides in the competition. Xabi Alonso‘s Bayer Leverkusen are also contenders, as they come up against West Ham.
Alonso of course, has ruled out a move to Liverpool and has decided to stay at Leverkusen. There is the all-Italian clash between Roma and Milan, which will be intriguing to watch. Milan, perhaps favourites.
Liverpool among favourites to win the Europa League trophy
The other is another interesting tie, the inconsistent Marseille against Portuguese giants Benfica who limped past Rangers when expected to dominate. Eight massive clubs, fighting for the Europa League.
Liverpool though, have to be considered favourites and certainly in their quarter-final tie with Atalanta. What will play into Liverpool’s favour, is Atalanta’s recent form – as they sit sixth in Italy’s top flight.
Just two wins in all competitions in their last nine games – losing their last two against Fiorentina and Cagliari. Liverpool will be desperate to send Jurgen Klopp off in a positive way, a possible treble of sorts.
Having already secured the Carabao Cup and sitting top of the Premier League, there is every chance Klopp could leave Liverpool after his most-successful, trophy-laden season yet. Atalanta will be his focus.
Rio Ferdinand predicts Liverpool v Alonso final, and the winner
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota are possibly going to be involved on Thursday night, albeit from the bench with Klopp stating both could be available for a handful of minutes at the end of the game.
A huge boost, ahead of the run-in. TNT Sports pundits were asked to predict the winners of the European competitions and Rio Ferdinand thinks Alonso could meet Liverpool in the final of the Europa League.
Typical, not least because Alonso is a former Liverpool player but because of the recent links that saw Alonso touted as a likely successor to Klopp. Ferdinand predicted the winner of Liverpool v Leverkusen.
He thinks that Alonso will get one over Klopp, having already rejected Liverpool. The German outfit, who are favourites to beat West Ham, remain unbeaten in all competitions under the Spaniard this season.
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