Chris Sutton believes Liverpool “could be Manchester City’s closest challenger” this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side strengthened their squad during the transfer window, signing exciting new talents Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister while retaining Mohamed Salah after he was heavily linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Liverpool have also seen some players leave this summer, with Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabino being the three most notable players leaving Anfield.
Yet Sutton, who made 255 Premier League appearances in his career, told Ian Ladyman on the Mail Sport podcast. Everything happens that he has a ‘sneaky feeling about Liverpool’
Sutton also claimed that keeping Mohamed Salah could be key to helping them challenge Man City.
Chris Sutton (right) told Ian Ladyman on Mail Sport’s It’s All Coming Up podcast that he thinks Liverpool could challenge Manchester City this season.
Jurgen Klopp’s side (pictured) sit second in the Premier League table after winning three of their matches and drawing the fourth.
Mohamed Salah (pictured) will also stay at the club for at least another season amid continued interest from Saudi sides.
Speaking on Salah’s potential departure, Ian Ladyman said: “The fact that the Saudi transfer window is now closed and Mo Salah will stay at Liverpool for, I suppose, one more season, but it could be a big season This should give them a huge boost going forward, right? Because we could have been sitting here talking about their best player leaving.
“But more importantly, not a helping hand,” Sutton interjected. “It gives them a great chance, if not a much greater chance, to challenge Manchester City. And they are the team. I know everyone is talking about Arsenal and I totally understand.
He continued: “But I have a sneaky feeling about Liverpool this season because of the strength in depth in those advanced areas. And Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, excellent signings.
Liverpool also acquired Wataru Endo from Stuttgart and promising young talent Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich, but Ladyman hit back at Sutton, saying his prediction was perhaps too bold.
“Another bold statement from you, Liverpool could have a chance to do well this season,” Ladyman said.
“Do you think they will challenge Manchester City? Do you think they will be the closest challengers or will you find yourself on that fence again? Sutton replied.
“Do you know what I think? Ladyman replied. “What I think, and I was thinking about it this morning, is that so far this season, we’re four or five weeks into the football season, no one ever talks about Manchester City. That’s the best team in the league. They’re the best team in Europe. Nobody.
” Everybody talks about it. And you know why, buddy? That’s because they’re so good now. Everything they do goes so well that they win and win.
“And a team that wins all the time finds it doesn’t lend itself to fierce debate over calls like this. And I think that’s incredible, I don’t know, incredible praise for them. It’s a testament to their genius, I think. We don’t talk about it.
Chris Sutton replied: “I don’t like, I don’t like disagreeing with you all the time, but to say that no one talks about Manchester City, you know, you must have had your head firmly in your arse during the first weeks of this season. .’
City have got off to a flawless start, winning their opening four Premier League matches this season.
And Ladyman stood firm on her point, saying, “Let’s put it this way. We have already made four or five. Everything is coming shows. We did four or five of our Monday show. We’ve never done a section on Manchester City because, yes, it’s a matter of editorial judgment.
Liverpool have also invested in signing their midfielder Alexis Mac Allister (left) from Brighton
Dominik Szoboszlai (pictured) is another new addition to Liverpool’s midfield and has impressed since his arrival at Anfield.
Pep Guardiola’s side (pictured) still remain top of the Premier League table, after enjoying a flawless start to the season.
“What I mean is if you don’t accept it, that’s OK, but what I mean is shows like this and people in the pub. People write to newspapers and football websites to talk about big issues, controversies, big questions. The city is so good that it continues. That’s my point.’
And neither did Sutton, who also stood his ground: “Yeah, well, you’ve made your point, I don’t agree with that. I think they’re good, but I think a lot of people where I live, a lot of farm workers around where I work, love talking about Manchester City.
“As for the financial fair play issue, because obviously it will come up again, it’s not settled or you think about football,” Ladyman responded.
But Sutton once again responded: “Everyone is talking about, you know, Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, the way Pep Guardiola is using them this season. No Kevin De Bruyne for the moment. Imagine when he comes back. It’s a phenomenal team. But I think most people in the country still talk about Manchester City. It’s not like they aren’t aware of it. Dear me.’
