A dominant night overshadowed by debate
Liverpool wrapped up their league phase campaign in emphatic fashion, dismantling Qarabag 6,0 at Anfield on Wednesday night. Alexis Mac Allister scored twice as Arne Slot’s side confirmed a place among the top eight and secured direct qualification to the last 16.
Finishing third overall, behind only Arsenal and Bayern Munich, ensured Liverpool avoided the additional play off round. Under the revamped Champions League structure, however, their final position offered no guarantees of a favourable knockout pairing.
According to FourFourTwo, the redesigned league phase has reduced the traditional advantage once enjoyed by teams finishing near the top of the standings.
Carragher questions the new system
Appearing on CBS Sports, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher made little effort to hide his frustration with how the new format operates.
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“I’ve just found out who Liverpool’s potential opponents are. Honest to god, this new format, I’ve had enough of it,” Carragher said on air.
“We finished top last year and we got Paris Saint Germain. We finished third this year, listen to this, Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray or Juventus and we finished third.”
Carragher argued that league phase performance should carry greater weight, particularly for teams who consistently deliver results across multiple matches.
Studio exchange highlights divide
Carragher’s remarks quickly drew a response from fellow CBS pundit Micah Richards, who questioned whether a club of Liverpool’s stature should fear any opponent.
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“But you’re the mighty Liverpool?” Richards replied, according to CBS Sports.
Carragher pushed back, insisting the issue was not fear but fairness within the competition structure.
“What I’m saying is, if you finish third, you can’t have them. You can’t have Atletico Madrid or Juventus in there,” he said.
Manchester City comparison fuels argument
The conversation soon shifted toward Manchester City and what Carragher described as a recurring pattern of favourable draws.
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“You know what, I bet you Man City have got like, I’ve never known a team so lucky with draws than Man City in my life. They get the FA Cup final every year because they play League Two clubs,” Carragher said.
When Richards pointed out that City could still be drawn against Bodo Glimt, Benfica, Inter Milan or Real Madrid, Carragher laughed and responded, “I’ll take that.”
Richards ended the exchange by branding Carragher a “big baby”, as the debate closed on a lighter note, CBS Sports reported.
Format change puts spotlight on competitive balance
The exchange reflects a broader discussion around UEFA’s Champions League overhaul and whether the new model truly rewards consistency across the league phase. While the format was designed to increase variety and competitiveness, reactions like Carragher’s suggest the balance between excitement and merit remains contested.
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Sources: FourFourTwo, CBS Sports
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