Ignore Gary Neville’s comments, Liverpool can challenge on all fronts

There is not a tournament in world football that I enjoy more than the Champions League. The Reds being pretty good in the competition over its time helps, but it really is one of the most glamourous spectacles in world sport.

So, like most Reds, I reacted the exact same way to the following Gary Neville comments about how Liverpool should abandon the tournament and focus purely on the Premier League.

“The Champions League — if I was Liverpool, I would kick it into touch,” Neville told The Times.

“I know that’s very hard to do but if they could go into February, March, April without it, I think they could have a real chance if they had free weeks.

“Why? I think their method is exhausting for the front three [Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino].

“The drop in quality below them, if there are injuries or playing Wednesday, Saturday, I think it will take its toll.”

Really, Gary? The team to make the Champions League final last season should all of a sudden focus purely on the league? No thanks.

He tried defending his comments yesterday working for Sky Sports before the Reds dismantled Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley Stadium, but I still did not agree with him.

READ: Jurgen Klopp warns his side that tougher times are to come throughout the season 

KIEV, UKRAINE – MAY 26: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool leaves the stage after recieving his runners up medal following his sides defeat in the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

READ: No serious damage has been done to Roberto Firmino’s eye during Spurs clash 

That mentality is about as weak as it gets to be brutally honest. For someone who won a mountain of trophies, you would think that would not be his view.

Any club in Europe does not go through an entire campaign the season before to qualify for the Champions League and then simply treat it with disrespect.

It is a dangerous game to put all your eggs in one basket, and it is good to hear Jurgen Klopp does not share the same opinion as Neville.

“I don’t exactly know what he means,” Klopp said.

“To focus on one competition can only be if you are already out, or nearly, late in the season. See if you have a chance to do that or do this but last season we had no chance because we had to qualify for the Champions League.

“I don’t think even Gary Neville would have said before the quarter-final ‘come on, let City win’, it doesn’t work like this.

“I don’t want to be too critical because I don’t know exactly how he said it, but sitting in the office and talking about football is a bit different to doing the job, to be honest. But it’s an opinion.

“What did he say about Manchester United? Nothing?”

So, not that it needed confirming from Klopp as we all knew the Reds were going to take this tournament seriously under the German this season, but it is good to hear nonetheless.

Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign against Paris Saint-Germain Tuesday night at Anfield.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – Tuesday, November 21, 2017: Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino celebrates scoring the third goal during the UEFA Champions League Group E match between Sevilla FC and Liverpool FC at the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There is no denying it is a tough group this season with Napoli, Red Star Belgrade and of course, PSG. Despite the quality of the group, Liverpool should fear no one and completely ignore comments such as Neville’s.

Despite the quality of opposition, let’s not kid ourselves, Liverpool are more than a chance to go through to the knockout stage.

PSG are arguably the best side, but that does not mean the Reds cannot finish first, but even then, finishing second is absolutely fine.

Napoli are obviously a good side, but we have beaten more quality teams in the past under Klopp. That is not to say they are not a threat, but if you are a Red and not confident now, then you probably never will be.

And lastly, Red Star Belgrade. They have not featured in Europe’s elite competition for 26 years, so in terms of experience, and even just quality, the Reds have them covered.

Liverpool should not become complacent at any stage as it is a tough group, but Klopp’s side have every right to believe they can progress.

The way Liverpool play, it suits the Champions League, especially the latter stages of the competition as we saw last season.

Klopp knows his side are a significant chance to challenge for the league, and playing European football during the week may hinder Liverpool’s chances slightly, which is why he went out and strengthened in the summer with the likes of Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Alisson and Fabinho coming in.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 12: Naby Keita of Liverpool runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and West Ham United at Anfield on August 12, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Comments such as Neville’s are strange considering Liverpool are more than good enough to progress out of the group, especially now they have the depth to compete in both the league and Europe.

As supporters, it is good to see we have not got wrapped up in some of the negativity towards the club. Some claim we are in fear of this group, but I can assure you this is not the case.

This should be another superb European campaign and we should lap it up, as well as gunning for our maiden Premier League title.

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Source: anfieldhq.com