Former Arsenal striker Alan Smith believes Liverpool are the best-equipped side to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title this season, although he thinks the Reds will ultimately finish second behind the champions.
Liverpool began their season with a 4-0 win over West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Daniel Sturridge, as well as a Sadio Mane brace.
Jurgen Klopp’s side finished fourth in the Premier League during the 2017/18 season behind Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
But after a summer of spending that included bringing in the likes of Alisson Becker, Naby Keita and Fabinho, Liverpool are being hotly tipped to move up the table this term and fight for their first top-flight title since 1989/90.
And Smith has predicted that the Merseyside club will finish second in the Premier League this season.
“With the signings Liverpool have made, Naby Keita and Alisson being the big ones, and the weaknesses they have addressed – with them now appearing to have a quality ‘keeper – it should take them to second,” Smith told Sky Sports.
Smith, who made 347 appearances for Arsenal, believes the Gunners will move up one place to fifth this season, with Chelsea dropping into sixth place.
“While Arsenal will not finish in the top four, it will still be a season of learning and improvement under Emery,” he added.
“And it is very much an unknown quantity in Sarri and you never quite know how it will go at Chelsea, it could go one of two ways. But with Sarri trying to change the structure of the team, it will take time.”
His predicted table then has Spurs in fourth and Manchester United in third.
Liverpool travel to Selhurst Park to take on Crystal Palace on Monday night.
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