The Reds legend is worried about what effect the Thursday-Sunday schedule of the Europa League would have on Jurgen Klopp’s team domestically.
Liverpool legend Jamie Redknapp has claimed that failure to make the knockout stages of the Champions League could have knock-on effects on the Reds’ Premier League title hopes.
Jurgen Klopp’s charges are preparing for Tuesday’s final-day encounter against Napoli knowing that anything short of victory will see them out of the competition.
According to UEFA’s official website, if Paris Saint-Germain win their game at Red Star Belgrade, Liverpool must beat the Serie A giants 1-0 or by two goals or more.
Unless the game at the Rajko Mitic Stadium finishes in a PSG defeat and the Reds lose against Napoli, the wrong result at Anfield would see the hosts drop into the Europa League.
This means Thursday night football as opposed to Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which in turn would shift Premier League action to Sundays.
Redknapp, who made 271 appearances for the Merseyside giants (Transfermarkt), is fearful of this due to the potential of additional exertion by his former side and the advantage it could give Manchester City.
“Qualify for the Champions League knockout stage and they go into Sunday’s Anfield showdown with bitter rivals Manchester United with incredible momentum,” Redknapp wrote in the Daily Mail. “Failing to make it through would not only be a significant blow to their confidence but could also mean they are playing Europa League football.
“Playing on Thursday then Sunday is gruelling and it means you are more likely to have to play catch-up in the Premier League. It would threaten to derail their title push.”
Redknapp also claimed that Man City’s shock defeat to Chelsea will likely stamp out complacency and does not foresee any more slip-ups by Pep Guardiola’s side particularly when Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne are back to full fitness.
“Up against defending champions City, Liverpool need any advantage they can get. It’s why they must do the job on Tuesday,” he added.
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