Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports, former Champions League winning midfielder with Liverpool Igor Biscan has given his lowdown of the current Champions League favourites and whether PSG can win back-to-back titles.
The former Croatia international has given his perspective on Xabi Alonso's start to his Real Madrid tenure and tips the Anfield legend to one day manage Liverpool and says that supporters will forgive Trent with time.
Elsewhere, he's given his thoughts on. whether Szoboszlai could be the next to move to Madrid, whether Wirtz and Kerkez will be successes at Liverpool and whether the club should go back in for Marc Guehi
Champions League
Champions League Favourites?
Arsenal are probably in a position like Liverpool were in last year, compared to Man City. When you're dominating and everything goes really well for you in the league, and then the momentum is so big, with the size of the squad and all the players hitting the right form at the right time, I can see them really going very far in a season like this.
There are always the usual teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG for sure. They have such a quality team and such a quality side. So, as it is now, I would look at Arsenal as probably my favourite to be in the final. In a final between Liverpool and Arsenal, Liverpool’s experience winning the competition could help, but anything is possible.
Can PSG Go Back-To-Back?
It's difficult to say. PSG, what they did last year, it's not easy to stay at that level and maintain the same hunger. I would always say that the English teams will be there. In the semi-final, I would always bet that England will have at least two teams there. It depends on the draw, if they play each other before that. But they're too strong for most of the other teams.
It also depends, of course, when it comes to the later stages, on the situation with injuries and their position in the league. Are they going to have enough players available to really compete? But usually, in my opinion, an English team will always be there, for sure.
Who Will Win The Champions League?
Xabi Alonso
Assessing Alonso At Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso is somebody who has played at the top, the highest level in different clubs, big clubs, different leagues. He's done it all. And now he's in a situation that he can choose what he's going to do next. But it's just a natural move, I would say, to go back to his old club in his own country; for sure, he will do well. He changed the way they play, their approach to the game. Now they are a different team.
The same amount of talent and individual quality, but now they look more organised, more disciplined. And now I think they will play better football, better football quality-wise, much more like modern football. Of course, it doesn't mean that they will win as much because they won so much by playing the way they used to play. But in terms of quality, I think they will play for sure a higher level of football.
Anfield Return On The Cards?
Xabi Alonso as Liverpool manager? I think that's always a possibility. If he keeps on doing what he's doing, and to be successful and make a difference. Whenever you watch his teams, they are doing so well, they have a clear structure, and the quality is always there. Who wouldn't want to have a manager like him?
Liverpool Will Forgive Trent In Time
I feel sorry for everybody, to be honest, especially for Trent Alexander-Arnold. After giving so much to the club, and of course, he got a lot from the club, it was always a special connection, I would say. To end like this and to be like this, as it looked from outside, is just not good for anybody.
But I think with the help of time, in the future, it will settle down, and people will realise that everybody at some point would want to try something else. There is no easy way out or simple, gentle, or sensitive solution for situations like that sometimes in life. So, I think after a while, people will realise, and then the next time when he comes back to play, I think the reaction will be completely different.
Szoboszlai Madrid Links
Dominik Szoboszlai is such a good player and is able to play in so many positions that any team in the world would probably want to have a player like him.
He can defend, he can really be the one to put pressure, to be aggressive, he can deliver from set pieces, and he can attack the box. He can do whatever he wants to do on the football pitch and be a threat, and run the whole day, and he's also very good-looking! For sure, his qualities are so good that he can play in any team in the world, that’s why Real Madrid might be interested.
Liverpool's Signings
Wirtz Key To Champions League Success?
I don't know how he feels when he plays in Europe, but I think when he plays in the Champions League games, there is a little more space and time on the ball for him when you compare the rhythm or style of play to the Premier League.
It's not so intense, and for this reason, he just finds it a little easier, and then he can show what he's capable of showing, and that's just pure class, he could help Liverpool go all the way. So for that reason, I believe he looks better when he plays in the Champions League because the Champions League level, I would say, in those stages, is not the same quality as the Premier League.
Kerkez Struggles: Can He Emulate Robertson’s Success?
Time will tell. It was always going to be difficult for any player to come and settle into the team, which worked really well. And just to win a starting place ahead of Andy Robertson, it's a hard and difficult job or task for any player in the world. It's not just about arriving at a new club, and you're going to be starting no matter what, or at least you will have 10 games before anybody even thinks about subbing you. Here, the situation is completely different.
There is a guy in Robertson who is a top-class defender, a top-class left-back who has been a great servant of the club, and then it's not easy to prove that you are even better than him. But I think his mentality is the right one. Kerkez is a warrior; he's someone who will work even harder to get better and to adapt, and once that happens, I think he will also be a valid member of the club, of the team, of the squad.
Guehi Is Champions League Level
Marc Guehi is already a Champions League-level defender, and he is certainly already being noticed. The interest from Liverpool confirms it, and he is currently the best English central defender. England is known for producing some of the world's best central defenders, so that confirms his level. If not Liverpool, for sure one of the other big, rich clubs will sign him in the future.
Could he sign in January? Big clubs don't usually make major signings in the winter window, but you never know. Perhaps there will be more injuries, or perhaps some of the other big clubs will decide that now is the right moment to do it. It's very difficult to predict what will happen, but he will have an impact at Liverpool.
Do Liverpool Need Another CB in January?
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