Football pundits across the UK are weighing in on who they believe will lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the season, with Liverpool and Arsenal emerging as the frontrunners in many predictions. Manchester City, Chelsea and even Manchester United are also in the mix, albeit with varying degrees of confidence from the experts.
Rooney Backs Liverpool but Sees United Improving
Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney believes Liverpool are the team to beat, particularly if they secure the signature of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak. Rooney is impressed with Liverpool’s activity in the summer transfer window and thinks the addition of Jeremie Frimpong to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold will further bolster their squad.
While tipping Liverpool for the title, Rooney also sees signs of improvement at his old club. He believes that new manager Ruben Amorim is making positive changes, and with a couple more signings, Manchester United could sneak into the top five.
Neville Highlights Goalkeeping Concerns for United
Gary Neville, another former Manchester United defender, agrees that Amorim’s side could potentially finish fifth or sixth, but stresses the importance of strengthening the goalkeeping position. He argues that without a top-quality goalkeeper, a finish of eighth or ninth is more likely. Neville believes that the Manchester United goalkeeper role is the most scrutinised position in English football.
Carragher Downplays Liverpool’s Dominance
Despite the hype surrounding Liverpool, Jamie Carragher, a Liverpool legend, cautions against assuming they will run away with the title. He emphasises that having the best players doesn’t guarantee success; building a balanced and effective team is crucial. Carragher suggests that Liverpool’s performance in their recent game showed that they aren’t quite the finished article yet.
Neville, however, believes that if Liverpool sign Isak, they will become overwhelming favourites. He acknowledges that Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea will provide stiff competition, but sees Liverpool as the team to beat with the potential addition of the Newcastle striker.
Redknapp Also Leans Towards Liverpool
Harry Redknapp, former manager of Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, echoes the sentiment that Liverpool are the team to watch. He believes they have made strong signings and are pursuing Isak, which would be the “icing on the cake.” Redknapp anticipates Liverpool going on a dominant run similar to Manchester City’s in recent years. He identifies Arsenal and Manchester City as the biggest threats to Liverpool’s title aspirations, with Chelsea also in the mix.
Keane and Wright Debate Arsenal’s Chances
On The Overlap podcast, Ian Wright, an Arsenal icon, was quizzed on whether Arsenal could finally end their title drought. Neville pointed out that Arsenal had addressed key issues with the signings of Martin Zubimendi and Viktor Gyokeres, bolstering their midfield and attack, respectively.
Wright expressed optimism, highlighting that Arsenal have finished second three times in recent years and have now added goals to their team. He believes Zubimendi can unlock opposition mid-blocks, while Gyokeres provides a goalscoring threat. Wright also pointed to the importance of contract renewals for key players like Bukayo Saka.
Roy Keane, despite his reservations, supports Wright’s assessment, acknowledging that Arsenal have genuinely strengthened their squad. However, he warns that Liverpool’s ability to score goals even on off days could be a deciding factor. Wright remains confident in Arsenal’s chances, stating that after finishing second three times, he sees no reason to back another team.
Richards Highlights Gyokeres Impact for Arsenal
Micah Richards believes that Arsenal’s signing of Viktor Gyokeres is a significant addition. He praises Gyokeres’s movement and striker’s instinct, which he believes Kai Havertz lacks when playing as a centre-forward. However, Richards remains unsure whether Gyokeres will be enough to propel Arsenal to the title, suggesting that injuries could derail their challenge.
Shearer and Lineker Predict Arsenal to Fall Short
Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker, speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, agree that Arsenal will challenge for the title but ultimately fall short. Shearer is impressed with Arsenal’s signings but believes they still lack the edge needed to win the league. Lineker concurs, citing Liverpool’s strengthened squad as a key reason for his prediction. He believes a lot will depend on how Gyokeres performs, acknowledging the importance of pre-season goals for strikers.
Lescott Backs Manchester City to Bounce Back
Joleon Lescott, a former Manchester City defender, believes that Pep Guardiola’s side will reclaim the title this season. He argues that City are always favourites in every competition they enter due to their manager and world-class players. Lescott attributes City’s relatively weaker performance last season to the physical and mental toll of their unprecedented success in the previous campaign. He believes that the break has allowed them to mentally reset and come back ready to compete for the title once again.