Euro favourite: Liverpool's red-hot form sparks Champions League predictions

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has lauded Liverpool's recent dominance in the Champions League, declaring them the favourites to lift the trophy this season. The Reds have hit a remarkable six consecutive wins in the competition, but Ferdinand cautions that there is still a long way to go before the outcome is cemented.

Liverpool's impressive run has seen them top the predicted table, according to a supercomputer analysis that simulates the competition. After five games, the Reds are forecast to top the league stage with 21.03 points, ahead of Arsenal in third with 16.91 points, and Aston Villa in 13th place with 14.18 points. Manchester City is predicted to slip to 15th with 13.27 points. The top 8 teams qualify automatically for the quarterfinals, while the teams ranked 9th-24th will compete in the play-offs, and the bottom 11 teams will be eliminated. The knockout stages are set to begin in April 2025, with the semifinals in May and the final in Munich on May 31, 2025.

Ferdinand attributes Liverpool's current form to their potential to be very successful, and believes that this season could be their year. However, he also emphasizes that it is still too early to conclude, citing the unpredictability of football. Quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final are all set to take place across April and May 2025. Analysing their dominant run in the group stage on its own may not do justice to their ability to consistenly progress beyond it. Speaking on the Brighton interview, Ferdinand explains: "Liverpool's potential is the reason why they should be confident they can make a deep run, but consistency in the group stage does not ensure a successful campaign. Despite Liverpool's chances of winning the Champions League, they are not averse to imperfections. He adds, "It's too early to get carried away and some teams can gain momentum, but consistency is key, they know that they've already shown what they can do to have such results in the league stage potentially out there."

Ferdinand's sentiments are echoed by Opta's probability analysis, which gives Liverpool a 20.3% chance of winning the Champions League title this season. Despite this, he warns that much can change between now and the final, and that Liverpool's form could dip in the knockout stages. Nevertheless, Liverpool's strong position in the predicted table and their deadly form so far make them a strong contender for the title, particularly if they maintain their consistency until the end of the season.