Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says his former team are not “quite ready” to be title contenders this season.
The Sky Sports pundit was speaking after Manchester City demolished their rivals United at the weekend when he gave his prediction as to who will finish top of the Premier League. Although he feels that the Reds and Arsenal could be in with a shout, Carragher firmly believes that City will win the title once again:
“They are still the team to beat. I think they’ll win the league comfortably this season, I do! I don’t think Liverpool are quite ready to mount a serious challenge.”
“Arsenal, of course, did that last season. Even though they’ve made a good start, I don’t think they are playing as well as this time last season, so I don’t think everything is 100 percent there.”
Liverpool will get a real test of their title credentials next month
After beating Nottingham Forest pretty comfortably at home on Sunday, Jurgen Klopp’s side have fixtures against Luton Town and Brentford coming up.
If they are genuine challengers, they need to secure six points from those two matches. After the next international break, though, they will travel to the Etihad for a huge game against City. If they come through that game with a draw or a win, Carragher may change his tune regarding his former club’s chances.
Carragher doesn’t mention the Premier League’s current leaders
The fact that the former defender omitted Tottenham from his list of title contenders does suggest that he doesn’t even consider Ange Postecoglou’s side a threat.
Having won 8 and drawn 2 of their opening 10 games, it would be foolish to completely rule out Spurs at this stage, but it seems Carragher is confident they won’t last the pace.
Watch the VTF Football Show on Shots!TV as our pundits discuss whether Liverpool are the real deal