Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has made a Premier League title prediction ahead of the new season starting and outlined his transfer 'worry' for Andoni Iraola's side
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher says only two teams can win the Premier League title next season as things stand, with Andoni Iraola's roster looking light in key areas.
PSG forward Bradley Barcola is a top target for Liverpool, while Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as another option for the Reds since Carragher was speaking, but he believes that last season's top two are the clear favorites heading into the next campaign, even with Pep Guardiola having departed.
"Where we are right now, and there is still a month to go transfer-wise, I can only see Arsenal or Man City (winning the league)," Carragher said on The Football Ramble.
"I think Liverpool need two defenders and a top right winger to be in the 'chat' or in the chase.
"They haven't replaced Mo Salah. They are supposed to be going for Barcola, and I'm sitting there scratching my head thinking the manager and the people sorting the transfers out know a lot more than I do about what's going on behind the scenes, but we have about four players who can play left wing, and we are going for Barcola.
"They haven't got one player who plays on the right wing in the squad."
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Mbaye could change that if that is a deal that progresses, though there is now under a month remaining in the transfer market to get more moves over the line.
Liverpool looks in need of more depth at the back too with Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley injured, and Giovanni Leoni yet to play a minute since his ACL ruptured last September.
"There are certain players you look at think, 'OK, he could do a job on both sides'. But Barcola, just the way he runs with the ball, I can't imagine him going outside of someone and whipping a cross in," Carragher continued.
"I'm a little bit worried but what I would say about Liverpool and people above, with the people above, I do trust them in terms of over the last decade or so, how they have gone about their business — they sell well, they bring in good fees. There must be something up their sleeve.
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"The thing that has impressed with me Manchester United this summer is that they've not been obsessed with a big name. I worry with my own club a bit like that. What we did last summer felt like a Real Madrid summer: Wirtz, Isak, we're going to get Ekitike for £80M, even though we've got one for £125M.
"This summer, it's all about Barcola. What about the days before when we built the team under Klopp and got great value? I almost want to go back to that."
Liverpool.com says: There is no doubt that more work is required in the market, but the Reds know that. Things are happening behind the scenes.
If Barcola and Mbaye come in, and a versatile defender as an extra cover option can be found, that would put Iraola's team in a good place. Whether a title challenge would follow remains to be seen.