Champions League 5-Point Stance: Wenger Out, City's Flops, Balotelli and Messi

For this week's five-point stance, we asked former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore to focus on the Champions League.

All four English clubs get a mention, along with Barcelona and a possible problem brewing with a certain Lionel Messi.

1. No Surprises in Liverpool Loss to Real Madrid

There's been an overreaction to Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Real Madrid, with plenty of people saying it demonstrates the gulf in class between La Liga and the Premier League. That's nonsense.

Liverpool are in poor form. Their defence is shaky, Steven Gerrard is an aging midfielder, and the likes of Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson remain works in progress.

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As for Mario Balotelli, he was just a bad signing for Liverpool. Soon enough senior players in the dressing room will start blaming Balotelli for what's going wrong this season.

The point is that Madrid are European champions, while Liverpool aren't the best side in England and are just now returning to the biggest stage. Don't make this about La Liga vs. the Premier League.

2. Arsenal Fans Have Had Enough

In the past, Arsenal fans would have felt nothing but relief after their dramatic 2-1 victory against Anderlecht, but so many Gunners fans across social media were calling for Arsene Wenger's head. 

It felt like a tipping point to me. Arsenal's performance was poor, and their fans appear to have decided enough is enough. What was a loud minority has become a majority. I get a sense around 70 percent or more of Arsenal fans now want Wenger gone.

In terms of candidates they'd want to replace him, Jurgen Klopp, Roberto Martinez and Pep Guardiola are the names that consistently pop up.

I think Klopp would work, because he develops young players and there's only so much he can achieve at Dortmund—especially with Bayern so dominant. He'd have money to spend at Arsenal and a good solid base to work with.

3. Chelsea Belong with Europe's Elite

Four clubs are standing out from the rest in Europe this season: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea.

Chelsea belong in that company; they're so strong in all areas and are genuine contenders for glory in the Champions League.

Going back to the point about La Liga vs. Premier League, I have no doubt Chelsea would give Madrid a serious run for their money. It might just happen this season.

4. Man City Need a Change of Attitude in Europe

Sir Alex Ferguson once said you need to play in the Champions League for five or six seasons before you're ready to challenge. It's a philosophy Manchester City have seemingly bought into, and it's doing them no favours whatsoever.

The difference with Ferguson's United back in the early 1990s was that they'd been out of Europe for years. He also had a smaller budget to work with.

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City have near unlimited funds. They have signed some of the best players in the world, such as Yaya Toure, David Silva and Sergio Aguero, and they have already won two Premier League titles.

Yet still, City appear to approach the Champions League as if they're a work in progress. I just don't understand it. The excuses have to stop, and the attitude has to change, if City are going to make good on the talent and funds at their disposal.

5. Does Messi Have Too Much Power at Barcelona?

Pep Guardiola appeared to have control over Lionel Messi, but based on events during Barcelona's win against Eibar at the weekend, we can't say the same about Luis Enrique.

Messi refused to come off as a substitute, which suggests he has more power than is healthy at Barcelona these days.

For me, it's a sign that medium- and long-term damage could be done. Barcelona have always been about a team mentality. If one player becomes bigger than the club, the very fabric of what Barca stand for could be threatened.

Former Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Liverpool and England striker Stan Collymore is in his second season as a Bleacher Report marquee columnist and video analyst.