Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen believes the Reds will be the favorite for next season’s Premier League title after their summer transfer haul.
Arne Slot’s side will of course be defending their crown after cruising to the 2024/25 title, having finished 10 points ahead of nearest challenger Arsenal.
Liverpool has wasted no time strengthening for the 2025/26 campaign though, with Jeremie Frimpong having already been signed as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Florian Wirtz is set to join him later this week in what could be a Premier League transfer record. Milos Kerkez also looks likely to follow soon from Bournemouth.
That, Owen believes, will put the Reds in an even stronger position than last season, with Arsenal and Manchester City facing a huge task to make up ground in the title race.
Asked whether Liverpool were worthy title winners last season, Owen told Sky Sports: “Oh yeah, of that there’s no doubt. Even fans of any other team, I think you’d have to say they won it at a canter.
“They took their foot off the pedal in the last few games, which they were entitled to. They probably should have won it, and could have won it by more, so they were absolutely the best team by a mile.
Liverpool will be defending its Premier League title in the 2025/26 season
Liverpool will be defending its Premier League title in the 2025/26 season (Image: Getty Images)
“If you’re looking at the champions again for next season, then they’re the team to beat. City fell quite far down, and they’ll do well to pick right back up.
“They might start building some bridges and some building blocks again, but I can’t imagine they’re going to bounce right back and win it.
“I think Arsenal are probably Liverpool’s biggest challengers, but at the moment, I think everybody’s looking at Liverpool and thinking ‘can we beat them?’”
Owen added: “I think the beauty of it is strengthening from a position of strength, and they’re that far ahead of everybody at the moment in the Premier League, and they’ve gone and signed one or two players already, one or two in the pipeline potentially.
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“We often saw it when I was a player and Manchester United were dominating, they were winning the league and then going and signing the next best player - a Van Persie, or whoever it would be would come and strengthen them from a position of strength.
“It looks like that’s what Liverpool have done, they’ve kept their powder dry for probably a season really, they didn’t spend much. They’ve obviously got Champions League and been successful, they’ll sell one or two players, get a lot of money in, so I think they’re quite wealthy at the moment and ready to splash the cash.”
Liverpool.com says: Liverpool should be the favorite for next season’s title, given what we saw from the Reds and their rivals last season, but with City making plenty of signings again, expect them to be back in the race.
Hopefully Wirtz can prove to be the game-changer Liverpool hope he is, and prove to be the difference as the Reds look to hold off any challenge from the likes of Arsenal and City.