**It’s been a summer of change for Liverpool as Arne Slot, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate left the club after the 2025-26 season.**
Andoni Iraola’s arrival has breathed new life into the club and the Spaniard has hit all the right notes so far.
However, in terms of the squad, Liverpool have a lot of gaping holes to fill in the summer transfer window.
And with the Premier League opener against Newcastle United edging closer, Steve Nicol has delivered a prediction no Liverpool fan wants to hear.
Newcastle United are also in a spot of bother as key players have left the club, while Eddie Howe walked away from his role as manager earlier this week.
And while Nicol believes a clash against the Magpies is hardly the toughest first game they could have had, the Reds are not good enough to compete at the top end of the table.
“I’m glad it’s Newcastle \[up first\], because I think they’re probably the only team in a worse mess than we are,” said Nicol to ESPN FC.
“It’s going to be an incredible game, because I’m not quite sure who’s going to play for Liverpool or for Newcastle. Both teams are in absolute turmoil right now.”
“That’s absolute nonsense. They’re not favourites to be in the top four right now.
“In fact, right now they’re not favourites to be in the top six. There are easily six teams in a better position right now than Liverpool are.”
A grim prediction from Nicol, that’s for sure. But judging by the state of the current squad and how good other teams look, we can’t fault his logic.