Manchester United legend Paul Scholes believes Liverpool will be genuine title contenders if they keep both captain Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate fit.

Many pundits are still favouring either Manchester City or Arsenal for top spot but, speaking on The Overlap, Scholes said Arne Slot’s side could also be challengers, injury permitting:

“I think Liverpool might have something to say about the title race this year. When I look at their forward players, I think they have five or six good players. Seeing Liverpool first-hand, what a squad of players, I see very little weaknesses. The only one we thought about was possibly if Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate got injured in the centre-half position.”

“I see their squad, the five or six midfield players who can all run and are great athletes with quality. You then look at the forwards, and they can all play. The only worry was the Forest game, that threw me.”

Liverpool’s defence will be key to any title challenge

The Reds’ defensive record did let them down last season but they have fared better under Slot so far this campaign, conceding just 1 goal in 5 Premier League outings.

Were Konate or, more importantly, van Dijk to be sidelined for any period of time, though, you would expect the team to struggle to keep out the opposition.

Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez are both good centre-backs but they are nowhere near as dominant in defensive duels as Konate or van Dijk.

What are the bookies saying about the Reds’ chances?

As Scholes mentions, the shock home defeat to Nottingham Forest has definitely tempered expectations and that is reflected by the odds at the bookmakers.

The shortest price you will get for Liverpool winning the title currently is 5/1, which makes them pretty distant third favourites behind City and Arsenal.

Find out who is in Liverpool’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here