Rio Ferdinand believes there are only two teams that can win the Premier League next season, and has snubbed Arsenal in his title race prediction for 2023-24
18:15, 27 Jun 2025
Rio Ferdinand sports a pair of sunglasses as he looks on
Rio Ferdinand has made a bold predicition(Image: 2025 Malcolm Couzens)
Rio Ferdinand is convinced that only Liverpool and Manchester City stand a real shot at clinching the Premier League title next season, overlooking Arsenal.
Arne Slot had a stellar debut year in charge, steering Liverpool to Premier League triumph over the Gunners, who landed in second place for the third year running.
Defending champions City managed to claw their way back to third after lagging behind the top two halfway through the season. Liverpool have already made significant strides to bolster their championship-winning squad, while City have revamped a team that underperformed last season.
Ferdinand believes it will be a two-horse race for the domestic title again, pointing out Arsenal's urgent need for a top-notch striker.
"It's only going to be between Liverpool and Man City next season," Ferdinand declared about the title chase in his latest YouTube video for 'Rio Ferdinand Presents', reports the Mirror.
TOPSHOT - Liverpool's Dutch manager Arne Slot waves to the fans after the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on April 27, 2025. Liverpool won the match 5-1, making them the winners of the Premier League title. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot steered Liverpool to the Premier League title(Image: PAUL ELLIS, AFP via Getty Images)
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'Arsenal might kick up a fuss for a couple of months – six months maybe – [but nothing more]. Arsenal's signings right now look likely to be Norgaard, who is 31 years old, Kepa, who was a reserve keeper at Chelsea, and Martin Zubimendi.
"But the entire fan base is crying out for a centre forward or a left winger."
While Ferdinand isn't particularly thrilled with Arsenal's transfer dealings thus far, he has expressed admiration for Liverpool's summer activity, which includes a record-breaking British deal for Florian Wirtz and significant acquisitions of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.
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He fadded: "I think what's not being talked about enough is Liverpool's ability to go and get a player that City were after, Bayern Munich were after and reportedly Real Madrid were also after. And Liverpool have come out on top in that.
"I can see it so clearly at the club right now, I can see their whole process and their vision – it's so clear – and as a player, that's what you want when you walk into the club and they're pitching the project to you.
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"I can imagine Wirtz coming out of that meeting with Slot and saying 'don't take any calls from any of those other clubs, I'm going here'."