Five pundits predict where Liverpool will finish in Premier League this season
The new Premier League season is almost upon us and it promises to be an intriguing year for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp's side will be looking to bounce back from a below-par year, though will face competition at the top of the table from a whole host of clubs in 2023/24.
Midfield is likely to be a key area for the Reds in their quest to return to the top and the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai offer hope this can turn from being a problem position to a position of strength. Further additions could yet be required, however, for this stance to be fully applicable to this department.
Predicting just where this Liverpool team will end up is no easy task, though various pundits have shared their thoughts on how they see proceedings playing out. We have rounded up the verdicts of five former Premier League stars, below.
Michael Owen (3rd):
Michael Owen can see the Reds returning to Europe's elite competition for 2023/24, though remains cautious Klopp's men are moving away from the principles that has brought the club success in recent times. Taking to Twitter to voice his options, Owen wrote: "I’ve gone for Liverpool and Manchester United to finish 3rd and 4th, but both have questions to answer. Neither were visually impressive on the whole last season.
"Liverpool have a new-look midfield. They are also likely to continue to copy City and Arsenal (City have now moved on) by utilising a full-back to fill the midfield at times. [It] could work but I loved the old Liverpool: pressing relentlessly from the front, creative full backs etc. I’m nervous they are moving away from something that took them to the top. United have followed the recent trend and bought a ball playing GK. Looks a great buy. At the other end they’ve filled a vital position they’ve been crying out for. If Hojlund is a success, they could be in business."
Danny Murphy (3rd):
Echoing the comments of Michael Owen, ex-Reds midfielder Danny Murphy has also backed the Reds to finish ahead of United in third place. Writing in the Daily Mail, he said:
"I fancy Liverpool to make it but they need to replace Jordan Henderson and Fabinho in midfield. They have been the bedrock of that Jurgen Klopp side for years with legs in the middle of the park so I can see one or two more coming into that.
"Alexis Mac Allister is a terrific signing and gives them something different while Curtis Jones is emerging into an integral part of the team. Romeo Lavia from Southampton would make perfect sense.
"United have done good business in Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund and the arrival of a ball-playing goalkeeper in Andre Onana will change the way they play and control games, especially away from home."
Dimitar Berbatov (outside the top four):
The one-time United striker believes Liverpool will miss out on the top four for the second season in succession as the race for European football hots up. Sharing his thoughts on the upcoming campaign, the Bulgarian told Betfair:
"The competition for the top four is the reason why the Premier League is so great to watch. Teams like Aston Villa, Newcastle, Brighton and Tottenham can compete for it. Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea will be in the top four.
"If Manchester United don't make the top four, then it's a terrible season. I think Arsenal will get the top four too, they need to push for the title and not settle for second place as they did last season. I'm not including Liverpool, Tottenham or Newcastle."
Peter Crouch (3rd):
Former Reds striker Peter Crouch has got the Reds down to finish third, with City and Arsenal in first and second and United in fourth place.
Elsewhere in his season predictions for TNT Sports, Crouch's picks suggest he is expecting a dominant season for Pep Guardiola's side. He has backed Erling Haaland to claim the Golden Boot for the second campaign running, Kevin De Bruyne to win Player of the Season and Pep Guardiola to be crowned Manager of the Season.
Rio Ferdinand (4th):
The ex-Manchester United centre-back has tipped Liverpool to finish fourth in the table, behind Arsenal (3rd), United (2nd) and City (1st). Explaining why he believes his teams selected for second and third are better placed to mount title charges, he told TNT Sports: "I think Man United and Arsenal are the two guys I see challenging. If anyone is going to get close to them [Man City], it is going to be those two.
"I still think there is a distance between Man United and Man City on and off the pitch, but Manchester United are going in the right direction. Arsenal have recruited well in this window, three players that will definitely improve the squad and starting eleven, and I think they will go close this season."
