Gary McAllister names Liverpool's difference maker in Champions League battle

The Reds have been significantly better in Europe this season than in the Premier League and Gary McAllister feels the Reds can go all the way in the Champions League

Gary McAllister feels Liverpool can win the Champions League this season and that Hugo Ekitike can be the 'different-maker'(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister believes the Reds can still win the Champions League this season despite the team’s inconsistent form, and feels Hugo Ekitike can be the "difference maker."

Liverpool heads into the final round of Champions League matches knowing a win will secure passage to the last-16 of the competition. A draw could even be enough, but after the farcical showing at Bournemouth on Saturday, an emphatic victory is needed for Arne Slot.

And that feels possible given Liverpool’s European form this season. The Reds have looked more convincing on the continental stage this term, registering five wins from seven and currently sitting in fourth in the table.

With the Reds looking well placed to bypass the playoffs and immediately qualify for the last-16, McAllister feels the Reds can go all the way in the Champions League.

“I tend to agree with the fact they can still win it because it's a club that knows that they've got an affinity with the Champions League and the old European Cup,” the 61-year-old told OLBG.

"I think the fans have got an expectation. I think that's a big thing.

"Whenever it's a European night, whatever form the team’s in, whether it be in domestic cups or in the league, as soon as it comes to a Champions League night, something happens.

Hugo Ekitike has only scored one Champions League goal this season(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)

“Liverpool all of a sudden fancy themselves to beat anybody, especially under the lights at Anfield.

“Anfield is pretty special on a European night and teams come and they're aware of that as well.

"Their history in Europe does go before them.

"Hugo Ekitike can be Liverpool's difference maker in the Champions League.

“He absolutely can be the difference. Against Frankfurt, he was outstanding. Unplayable.

“There's a couple of games where he's got two goals and Arne’s been looking at the next game and maybe took him off a wee bit early, but it would be nice to see him go and grab a hat-trick because then he falls into somebody that scored a hat-trick for Liverpool and that takes you up a notch again.

“But if Liverpool are going to progress and do well, and get through into the knockout stages, he's going to play a big part because obviously Isak is not going to be involved at all.”