Liverpool are on the verge of an unexpected windfall, a scenario no one could have foreseen at the start of the season. But can they seal the deal?
Looking back to the summer, the outlook for Liverpool was far from promising. Jurgen Klopp had departed, Arne Slot stepped in as the new manager, and the club made no major signings.
Under a new coach tasked with succeeding the most successful Liverpool manager in modern times, a dip in performance seemed inevitable. Doing so with a squad that appeared to need reinforcements felt like a daunting challenge.
Yet, Slot has transformed Liverpool into one of the world’s elite teams in no time. The Reds have been sensational all season, dominating both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
On Tuesday, they reinforced their position in Europe by defeating Lille 2-1 at Anfield, ending the French side’s impressive 21-game unbeaten streak.
This result keeps Liverpool at the top of their group with one match remaining. They would have already secured the top spot if not for Barcelona’s stunning late comeback against Benfica.
Liverpool on brink of windfall
Liverpool are on track to secure the maximum prize money from their UEFA Champions League campaign. To achieve this, the Reds must top their group and win every match in the league phase.
Their fate lies in their hands as they prepare to face PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands for the final group-stage game. With seven wins from seven matches, just a single point would guarantee them top spot ahead of Barcelona.
However, Liverpool will undoubtedly push for victory. This determination is why Slot fielded a strong XI against Lille on Tuesday night, and it’s expected he’ll deploy another competitive lineup for the last match.
A win would see Liverpool pocket £45 million in prize money before the knockout stages even begin—a stunning achievement that seemed inconceivable at the tournament’s outset.
What was expected to be a challenging campaign requiring patience has turned into a historic opportunity. Liverpool are on the cusp of becoming the first team to top the league phase, win every game, and claim the full prize pot in the process.
