Peter Schmeichel made a bold Liverpool claim after Sunday’s loss to Man City.
The Man United legend was there to watch Dominik Szoboszlai’s free-kick and red card either side of two late City goals as Arne Slot watched his side beaten late on yet again.
He’s starting to enter new territory in terms of results in the Premier League — territory not reached since the days of one Roy Hodgson.
Discuss: Liverpool are worse to watch this season than under Roy Hodgson
A bleak comparison for Slot 😬
Roy Hodgson and Arne Slot records at Liverpool
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
While many saw the loss as a sign of Liverpool’s continued decline, Schmeichel was more inclined to show faith in the Reds as it pertains to their goals for the season.
And he did so emphatically.
Peter Schmeichel makes a guarantee about Liverpool’s league prospects
Once a bitter rival, Schmeichel is now on the side of Liverpool.
He doesn’t just think Liverpool can qualify for next season’s Champions League. He’s absolutely sure they will.
He told Viaplay after Sunday’s clash: “They will qualify for the Champions League. I said this before the game, they will.
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“They’re up against arguably one of the best teams in Europe today, so it could have gone either way and it did go against them.”
Arne Slot walks out at Anfield ahead of Liverpool's Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
The margins were small to his point, and the Dane thinks there is promise in this Liverpool performance.
He continues: “They’re playing much better football now. They have small issues, little things that need to be corrected, and maybe a little bit of confidence on top of that. There’s no way, I can see them not qualifying for the Champions League.
“That team is too good.”
He sounds so sure. Most aren’t after watching this team for large parts of the season.
Liverpool have much to live up to Schmeichel’s prediction
As it stands, there are five teams playing better than Liverpool. That’s a problem.
There are also a number of teams behind who are chasing the Reds, including Wednesday’s opponent Sunderland and somehow Everton.
How many points are we getting from the next five? 😑
Arne Slot pictured before Liverpool's Premier League match against Manchester City at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images).
Photo Credit: Getty Images
A dramatic increase in performances will be needed to stay in the mix for Champions League football. As it stands, Liverpool are slipping.
Schmeichel might be convinced of where Liverpool will end up, but the reality is that winning six out of 20 Premier League games suggests a downward trajectory, not an upward one. Something has to change.
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