Liverpool have cantered to the Premier League trophy in Arne Slot’s first season in charge, with a completely different title race expected this time next year
Arne Slot has been warned that defending Liverpool‘s Premier League crown will be a lot trickier than it was winning it. The Reds have been deserved victors of their second title in five years.
Just two losses in his first 34 league games for Slot is a remarkable achievement, even if their rivals have quickly fallen by the wayside in his maiden campaign. Reigning champions Manchester City were realistically out of the picture well before Christmas, while nearest competitors Arsenal have faltered to now sit 15 points behind.
Both will expect to mount a much more serious challenge from August, while some of the chasing pack will look to have their say too. And that’s why The Rest Is Football trio Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards are in agreement that Slot won’t get as easy a ride next time out.
Speaking on their podcast, Lineker began: «What I think will happen is that both Manchester City and Arsenal will put up a better fist of things, and probably not have the amount of injuries that both clubs have had this season, and it’ll be a lot tighter. I don’t think for one minute they can win it as easily next season, but who knows?».
Liverpool have had to deal with their fair share of injuries too, with the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate all having spells on the sidelines. Although their deputies have stepped up seamlessly, and they’ve avoided losing their key men.
In contrast, City have been without Rodri for most of the campaign, with Erling Haaland also recently sidelined. And Arsenal suffered without the spark Bukayo Saka brings for an extended spell.
Shearer echoed Lineker’s sentiments, saying: «I’d be amazed if they were to win it as easily as they have this year as next year. I don’t see that happening at all. I think there are so many teams that are waiting to improve.
«Arsenal being one, City being another, Newcastle being another, [Aston] Villa being another. I think Chelsea is another one. There are so many teams who will, and have to, improve next year. If they’re gonna win it next season, it won’t be as easy.»
Lineker feels fans are in for a hotly-contested title race for 2025/26, suggesting City in particular won’t stay down for long. Their former right-back Richards agrees, although he pointed out that Pep Guardiola has a lot of work to do over the summer to make that happen.
He added: «I think Pep comes back massively next season. If the new players were to have another season under their belts, I really think Man City come strong next season. I still think there’s things to figure out.
«Where does [Omar] Marmoush play? Haaland obviously to come back. Who is going to play on that right side. Obviously [Nico] O’Reilly’s come into the team and done really well, but he’s more of a midfielder playing left-back.
«They need to sort out the right-back position. [Matheus] Nunes has been playing there and he’s actually been playing well of late. They need a partnership at the back, is John Stones going to be fit? So all of these questions need answering.
«But I just think the way City have fizzled out the league, even the fact they’re still challenging to get into the top five for Champions League next season, I just know that won’t sit right with Pep and next season they’re going to come out firing, so it should be exciting.»
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