Richard Keys has predicted that Liverpool will finish behind Premier League champions Manchester City this term, tipping them to end third in the table at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.
The Reds finished fifth last term, missing out on the last Champions League berth by four points, and manager Jurgen Klopp will hope he can get his side challenging for major trophies again after they only won the FA Community Shield last term.
Liverpool have lost Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, but they have signed Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister for a combined £95 million, while more additions are expected to be made before the summer transfer window shuts.
The Netherlands international centre-back Virgil van Dijk has been made captain, but Keys does not believe he has what it takes to lead the side to glory.
“I don’t think Liverpool have got a challenge in them either,” the former Sky Sports pundit wrote in his blog.
“The rebuild was necessary, but I don’t see leaders in the team anymore. Van Dijk isn’t a leader. He’s too quiet – and selfish. If he plays well that’s all that seems to matter to him. And he didn’t play well often enough last season. I thought he was way off.
“They’ll miss Henderson and Milner. I know the Milner decision was driven by the stats men, but sometimes you’ve got to go with your gut. Klopp knows Milner is a loss. A big loss. But he couldn’t get his way and keep him.
“So it’s City for me. Arsenal, Liverpool and Utd for the other places in the top 4. But it could be City at a canter.”
Liverpool have missed out on the title by a point twice (2018-19 and 2021-22) to Man City in the last five seasons, but they have failed to properly strengthen their squad and could struggle once again this term.
They will need both Szoboszlai and Mac Allister to hit the ground running this season and also hope that Darwin Nunez can finally rediscover his goalscoring form after the Uruguayan striker struggled in his debut season.
He failed to replace the goals of Sadio Mane last term, and it is safe to say Liverpool missed the hardworking Senegalese forward all season.
Their defence also struggled, conceding the most goals (47) in the top five and leaking more goals than the likes of Aston Villa and Brentford, and Van Dijk and co must step up this season if Liverpool want to become a force to reckon with again every week.
The Merseyside giants have what it takes to challenge for the Premier League, but they need quality squad depth to go against Man City and the best teams in Europe, and the fans will hope Klopp and his men can deliver the goods this term.
