LIVERPOOL could run away with the Premier League again after Manchester City’s weekend capitulation, Graeme Souness has predicted.
Although the season is only three weeks old, pundit Souness can already see a repeat of last season when Jurgen Klopp’s side took an early lead at the top of the table and won it at a canter.
Graeme Souness, who both played for and managed Liverpool, has been having his say on a topsy-turvy start to the seasonCredit: Corbis – Getty
Jurgen Klopp is looking to build another early lead but faces his most difficult game yet tonight against Arsenal Credit: PA:Press Association
His comments come after a string of dodgy results for many of the top sides in the opening weeks of the season.
Manchester City were thrashed by Leicester yesterday in a huge blow to last season’s runners-up.
But their defeat was just the latest early-season hiccup for the division’s traditional big boys and Liverpool legend Souness can see the Reds taking full advantage.
The 67-year-old told Sky Sports: “Liverpool won by 18 points (last season). Liverpool in my opinion have strengthened big time.
“I look at City now whether Ruben Dias comes in, it’ll have to be more than Dias to take City from 18 points behind Liverpool to getting in front of them.
“Liverpool are stronger today than they were 12 months ago. That’s a marker, when you look at what City have shown.
“After all the teams we’ve seen that can challenge, it’s Leicester after today but we’re three games in.
“Some players need five or six (games) to get up to speed. But right now, I think Liverpool could run away with it.”
DIRE DEFENCE
Ruben Dias is set to be confirmed today as Man City’s second defensive recruitment after Nathan Ake.
It could open the door for Eric Garcia to leave after he was run ragged by Jamie Vardy in the Leicester loss.
The 33-year-old hit a hat-trick and terrorised Man City’s defence throughout the second half.
Other Premier League heavyweights have also found themselves stunned already this season.
Chelsea went 3-0 down to newly promoted West Brom in half an hour and had to rally to draw themselves level with a late goal.
Manchester United were comfortably beaten by Crystal Palace and needed some luck to squeeze past Brighton on the weekend.
And Spurs have failed to win either of their first two home games and were outplayed by Everton on the opening weekend in a 1-0 defeat.
It has left the Premier League with only Everton and Leicester on 100 per cent starts after three games – while Liverpool and Arsenal have a chance to match that feat when they meet at Anfield tonight.
The Reds won their first eight games at the beginning of last season before being held to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
They did not lose until a shock defeat at Watford in February.
It allowed them to quickly open a gap on Guardiola’s City and the lead soon became insurmountable.
Jamie Vardy tore through the Man City defence and left pundits questioning Pep Guardiola’s and his team’s title credentialsCredit: Reuters
Graeme Souness turns into Jeremy Paxman asking Gary Neville same question over and over again
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
