June 1st 2019 marked the day that Liverpool returned to the pinnacle of European football. The Reds lifted their 6th European Cup, their 1st under Jürgen Klopp, after defeating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in Madrid. Since then, Liverpool have looked in unstoppable form; they have won every game this season barring a solitary and unlucky defeat to Napoli – the Italians had to rely on a controversial late penalty to swing the game. Liverpool are poised to dominate the Champions League in the coming seasons.
Liverpool are poised to dominate the Champions League for years to come. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Prior to the Reds’ victory in the Spanish capital, the previous 5 competitions had been won by either Real Madrid or Barcelona, with Los Blancos doing most of the heavy lifting having won the title in 4 of those 5 seasons. At the minute, both Madrid and Barcelona are in a period of transition. These transitions have put Liverpool in pole position to take up their mantle.
Real Madrid have recently reinstated Zinedine Zidane as manager. The Galacticos were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Ajax last season. This season they have lost to Paris Saint Germain and drawn at home to Club Bruges in their opening 2 group stage games. The loss of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus has proven costly.
On the other side, Barcelona are still adjusting to life without Andres Iniesta and Xavi – Lionel Messi is finding it increasingly difficult to do it all by himself on the European stage. We needn’t remind you how their European campaign ended last year.
Jürgen Klopp is yet to lose a 2 legged knockout tie as Liverpool boss. With other European giants fading away, the Reds flying high domestically and the current holders of the competition, Liverpool are set to dominate the Champions League for years to come.