Gary Neville’s Liverpool Champions League Prediction Finally Comes True
Gary Neville finally got one Liverpool prediction correct after Arne Slot’s side were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.
Liverpool entered the second leg at Anfield with a 1-0 advantage, but Ousmane Dembele’s 12th-minute strike forced extra time and eventually penalties. The shootout proved devastating for the Reds as both Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones failed to convert their spot kicks. Gianluigi Donnarumma made two excellent saves while PSG successfully converted all their penalties, with Desire Doue scoring the decisive kick to send the French champions into the quarter-finals.
This result validated Manchester United legend Neville’s recent prediction. Just days earlier, on Sunday following Liverpool’s comeback victory against Southampton, he had expressed doubts about Liverpool’s Champions League prospects:
“Obviously the Champions League is a different story,” Neville stated on his podcast. “That’s a one-off game. I’m not quite sure I see Liverpool winning the Champions League, you can never write them off in that competition but I don’t quite see it. It wouldn’t surprise me actually if they went out this week. PSG, I think it’s a 50-50 game. Liverpool could easily win but so could PSG. They’re a good side.”
Neville’s Track Record with Liverpool Predictions
While Neville can claim vindication regarding Liverpool’s European exit, his overall prediction record concerning the Merseyside club has been notably poor this season:
- At the season’s start, he completely omitted Liverpool from his top four prediction
- Instead, he forecasted Arsenal winning the league followed by Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea
- In September, after Liverpool defeated Wolves, he dismissed them as title contenders stating: “I didn’t feel like I was watching title winners being honest with you. They’re well below Arsenal and City.”
The reality has proven dramatically different from Neville’s early-season assessments. Liverpool currently sit:
- 15 points clear at the Premier League summit
- 70 points accumulated from 29 matches
- Just one league defeat all season
Such has been Liverpool’s dominance that Neville has been forced to revise his position completely, now suggesting the Reds could secure their 20th league championship as early as April.
Despite their Champions League disappointment, Liverpool’s remarkable domestic campaign continues unabated under Arne Slot’s leadership. The Dutch manager has seamlessly replaced Jurgen Klopp, maintaining Liverpool’s high-pressing style while adding his own tactical nuances that have proven extraordinarily effective in the Premier League.
Liverpool’s first opportunity for silverware this season comes this Sunday when they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium. A victory would provide tangible reward for their impressive season and potentially be the first trophy of a domestic double.
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