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Before we begin, let me just make it clear that I'm not a Liverpool FC supporter writing this because I can't contain my excitement that Liverpool actually managed to see out one game, and now I've decided that Liverpool are the best team in the world and are going to win absolutely everything.
In fact, I'm not a Liverpool supporter at all, I just find that they have a very good attack and a relatively weak defense, and thus score a lot and concede a lot, and thus their games are exciting to watch.
After being knocked out the FA cup by bottom-placed West Brom (Yes, that slightly contradicts the title of this article but stick with me), I saw one Liverpool fan say something along the lines of "Klopp Out! I don't care if we make top four again.
We're out of both cups, so there's no way we'll win any silverware this season, and that will continue if we keep Klopp in charge of the team" - although I imagine it had worse grammar and more expletives.
And at the time I agreed with them. Not so much about the "Klopp Out!" bit but about the fact they won't win any silverware this season. They're out of both cups, City seem to have had the Premier League in the bag since the very start of the season, and no way are Liverpool the best team in Europe, they can't even beat Swansea or West Brom.
But after last night's sensational display against Porto I have somewhat changed my tune. Liverpool don't need to beat Swansea or West Brom to win the Champions League, and they don't need to be the best team in Europe either. All they need is performances like last night's, and probably a sprinkle of luck, and they absolutely could go all the way.
On that note, here are 5 reasons why Liverpool stand a chance at winning the UEFA Champions League:
#5 They have the necessary star players
I feel like this somewhat goes without saying but I'll remind you just in case you've been living under a rock. Liverpool have some absolutely world-class players.
The first name on everybody's lips is rightfully Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian is an absolutely brilliant player, with brilliant dribbling, speed and, most often than not, finishing, and he'd be a star for one of the more typical Champions League winners, such as Barcelona or Real Madrid.
That said, Mané is also an unbelievably great player, and reminded everyone why Liverpool loved him so much last season after he scored a European hat-trick last night.
Firmino is another great player, who is fitting of a top European side, and so is arguably van Dijk. Sure, you could argue that Liverpool are still fielding some weaker players, but no team consists only of star player, and I'd say Liverpool have the requisite amount of talent of challenge for Europe's biggest trophy
#4 Their other players have proved their value
I don't know about you, but if I had to single out one player who impressed me the most, last night, it would be James Milner.
Now don't get me wrong, Mané was undoubtedly the man of the match due to his blistering performance and three goals, but as I mentioned, he's a star player and that's the type of performance you expect in these sorts of competitions. James Milner, on the other hand, is a completely different kind of player.
James Milner isn't a player I'd typically associate with Champions League football, and I'd be immensely surprised if Zidane announced he was interested in the 32-year-old Englishman and believed he was the key to Real Madrid's European success. That sounds utterly ridiculous.
But, he could be the key to Liverpool's if he can continue to play as well as he did last night. The exact same argument could be made for Trent Alexander-Arnold, the 19-year old who is receiving heaps of praise on Twitter for his performance last night, or Andrew Robertson, who too is receiving his fair share of praise after a performance similar to his when they beat Manchester City (we'll get to that).
The fact is, these players don't typically seem like Champions League winners, but if they can play like they did last night for the rest of the tournament, then they absolutely could be.
#3 They are best suited to facing the bigger teams
Liverpool struggle against small sides but step up against the bigger ones
Liverpool defeated the unbeaten Manchester City 4-3 in one of the greatest games of the season, and followed it up with a 1-0 loss to Swansea, and then a 3-2 loss to West Brom. That is quintessential Liverpool.
The thing about Liverpool, is they have the ability to score past literally any team on the planet. I don't care which back four or five you put them against, when Liverpool hit you on the break and are coming at speed, and Firmino, Salah, and Mané are all playing at their best and linking up well, they will find the net. It's not a possibility, it's an inevitability.
They've struggled against teams that have snuck a goal in and then sat 11 players in their own half. That's not how Barcelona, or Real Madrid, or PSG, or Bayern Munich, or Manchster City play. They attack you and press you, and that's what Liverpool are suited to playing against.
Manchester City are some people's favourites to win the Champions League this season, and with great reason too, and Liverpool have proven they can beat them.
I genuinely believe that on their best day, Liverpool could beat any of the 16 teams still left in the tournament.
#2 Klopp has Champions League Experience
Regardless of what happens in the future, Jurgen Klopp will always be able to say that he took Borussia Dortmund to the UEFA Champions League Final, and that definitely counts for something.
The man has firsthand experience of Champions League football and knows what it takes to go far in the competition. It's a completely different experience, and one the currently undefeated Liverpool clearly seem suited to.
In this sport, experience goes a very long way, and it's a massive boost when the person steering the ship has chartered these waters before (that's a weird metaphor but you get what I'm saying).
#1 They have got the history
Liverpool are backed by their glittering history
As I said, Klopp has proven he can take clubs all the way to the final, and then all Liverpool will need is another Istanbul performance and they will be the champions of Europe once more.
Obviously, it's not as simple as that. That was 13 years ago and the squad that played that match has been completely replaced by a new team of players. That said, I still believe Liverpool's European history gives them somewhat of a boost.
Liverpool fans and players alike all know that they've won it five times (they won't shut up about it, to be honest), and thus know that Liverpool are one of the giants of European football. That badge represents a team that has fought and won at European football and when the players don that badge that's who they represent.
It's a small psychological boost I'll admit, but one that shouldn't be underestimated. The fans have watched their players do it before and will believe in this new team, and if that translates to this new team believing in themselves, then Liverpool could definitely pull off something pretty special.
