Rio Ferdinand
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand has revised his Premier League title prediction after just three games into the new season.
Initially, before the start of the new season, Ferdinand believed only Liverpool and Manchester City would be in contention for the title.
However, with Liverpool’s perfect start and Arsenal’s strong performance, Ferdinand now thinks Arsenal have replaced Manchester City as Liverpool’s biggest rival.
Liverpool have made a flawless start to the season, winning all three of their opening games.
Liverpool stormed to the Premier League title last season, winning the league 10 points above second-placed Arsenal.
“I think you always have to have respect for the champions, no matter who it is,” Ferdinand told MailSport.
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“Champions normally go into the following season as the team to beat, that’s inevitable. If you look at the way Liverpool have recruited in the summer, they’ve had the best window by far.
Their intentions were pure and clean and transparent from the get-go, and they managed to execute everything apart from Marc Guehi. If they had got Marc Guehi, I think they would have cleaned up everything, to be honest.”
“I think the only team who will be anywhere near Liverpool this season is Arsenal,” he continued.
“They’ve got a great squad, real good depth with who they’ve bought. I think they’ve had a good window and if [Viktor] Gyokeres comes good, it puts them in a better position. I don’t think we’ll see anyone else.
Anyone you think might be a surprise, a Newcastle or a Chelsea, I think European football hinders them a little bit in that respect. Just the demands it puts on the squad.”
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Ferdinand questioned whether Manchester City can rebuild their team and mount a challenge, given their recent struggles. They’ve lost their last two games – against Brighton and Tottenham – after an opening-day victory over Wolves.
Arsenal
Arsenal team celebrates after a goal against Leeds United in the Premier League (Photo Credit: Getty images)
The current Premier League title odds reflect the changing dynamics, with Liverpool leading the pack at 6/5, followed closely by Arsenal at 7/4.
Liverpool resume their Premier League title defence on Sunday with a trip to Turf Moor to face newly-promoted Burnley.
Arsenal, meanwhile, welcome Nottingham Forest to the Emirates Stadium in the visitors’ first game since Ange Postecoglou replaced Nuno Espirito Santo as manager.
One of the most intriguing fixtures of the weekend sees struggling Manchester United travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on local rivals Manchester City.
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