Pundits agree ‘biggest question mark’ over top four is Liverpool

Joe Williams
Jurgen Klopp Liverpool

Ally McCoist agrees with Trevor Sinclair that the “biggest question mark” is over Liverpool from last season’s top four sides in the Premier League.

The Reds floundered in the middle of the season to leave themselves slightly adrift of the top four but they came roaring back in the final weeks of the season to pip Chelsea and Leicester into third position.

Manchester City and Manchester United finished as the top two, while Chelsea snatched the final Champions League spot by sealing fourth spot on the final day.


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And of the four that finished in the Champions League places, Sinclair is most concerned about Jurgen Klopp’s men, while he thinks Chelsea will challenge for the title.

Speaking about Chelsea’s title chances, Sinclair said on talkSPORT: “If Lukaku does end up going to Chelsea, I make them favourites.

“When Thomas Tuchel came into the football club, their standard went way through the roof. I think Manchester United are gonna be better, Chelsea are definitely going to be better – they’re going to be pushing Manchester City all the way.

“I’m a bit concerned for Liverpool just because they have not really invested a lot of money, especially in that midfield area and you look at Gini Wijnaldum has gone to PSG.

“I think they have some work to do before looking at them as a real contender for the league.

“For me, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United will be in there [in the top four].

“I think that fourth spot is up for grabs. I watched Leicester on Saturday [in their Community Shield win over Man City] and I thought Harvey Barnes was sensational.

“I’m just not sure Liverpool have got the depth. Van Dijk can’t play every game. Van Dijk is a top player, but coming back from a knee injury like he has, you’ve got to really be careful with him.

“Looking at the captain [Henderson] with his contract, they’ve lost Gini Wijnaldum…

“The front three or four still look really dangerous and [Diogo] Jota looked really good in the Euros, so I think he’s going to have a big impact again after missing bits and bobs through injuries at Liverpool last season.

“But defensively… Andy Robertson has picked up an injury now, so it just seems to be a stuttering start in terms of Liverpool’s planning and preparation for the new season.”

And fellow pundit McCoist agrees with Sinclair that Liverpool should be the most worried of last season’s top four sides.

“I agree with Trevor, in terms of the top four the biggest question mark for me will be Liverpool to be honest with you… but I think they’ll make it,” said McCoist.

“The one I think might miss out again, sadly, is Leicester. They’ve been magical. The job Brendan [Rodgers] is doing and the recruitment, it’s arguably been the best in the country for some time now by a distance.

“But I don’t know whether the other teams around them, the recruitment has just been slightly better, they have strengthened and it might just be too much for Leicester to make it in top four.

“But if there is a side or a manager capable of proving us all wrong, it’ll be Leicester again.

“Having said all that, I think it will be the two Manchester sides, Chelsea and I think Liverpool will get into the top four.”