19 July 2023 , 23:31
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Steve McManaman believes Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool will be the three main sides competing to win the Premier League next season.
City won a historic Treble under Pep Guardiola last season and have lifted five out of the last six Premier League titles. Arsenal, meanwhile, finished just five points behind City and have significantly strengthened their squad this summer with the additions of Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
Liverpool are in the midst of a revamp of their own, following the departures of Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the additions of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. More incomings and outgoings are expected, with Jordan Henderson and Fabinho closing in on moves to Saudi Arabia.
And McManaman expects Liverpool to challenge for the title again next season, but does not believe the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea will. "I believe Liverpool could challenge," the former Liverpool and Manchester City star told Betfred.
"If you go back to last season, they were full of injuries for a large period of the campaign, which was very disappointing, but they finished the season off very well and in good form, so I don’t see why they can’t challenge. The forward line should be a lot fitter next season with Luis Díaz and Diogo Jota both being back from injury and I expect Darwin Núñez to improve as well.
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"The main thing for Liverpool is keeping their key players fit, as the injuries in the early part of last season really affected them and you can’t have that if you’re attempting to mount a title challenge. I can see Liverpool challenging and by looking at other club’s transfer business at the minute, you’d expect Arsenal to have a go as well.
Former Liverpool and Manchester City star Steve McManaman has given his thoughts on next season's Premier League title race (Getty Images)Mirror Football is now on Threads!
"They’ve brought in Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber, three positions that they needed to strengthen in this summer and they’ve got their business done early. You don’t know what’s happened at Chelsea and despite the appointment of a wonderful manager in Mauricio Pochettino, with the merry-go-round of players coming in and going out, it just has to cause disruption.
"Manchester United have brought Mason Mount in, but we’re all waiting to see if they buy a striker and a goalkeeper. Before we can predict who’s going to challenge for the title, we need to see what all the clubs do transfer-wise between now and the start of the season, as we can only take things on face value at the moment.
"Liverpool have already brought in two midfielders and we know Trent Alexander-Arnold can play there too, so they could potentially bring in another right-back this summer as well. Manchester City and Arsenal look as if they’re the two most stable teams at the moment. They’re the two clubs with least to answer at this moment in time."