Andoni Iraola will soon begin his first Premier League season as Liverpool manager and his title chances have been rated
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen(Image: Mike Egerton/PA Wire)
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Liverpool 'need more' if they are going to challenge for the Premier League title under Andoni Iraola, but the capture of Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain could prove the difference.
That's the view of former Reds striker Michael Owen, who has predicted how the top six will look by the end of the new season. The former Liverpool academy graduate, who won five major honours with the Reds as well as the 2001 Ballon d'Or, is tipping reigning champions Arsenal to successfully defend their crown.
But he is not expecting it to be plain sailing for Mikel Arteta and is expecting his former club to challenge the Gunners throughout the season, especially if they can land the marquee signing of Barcola before the start of the new campaign.
Speaking to the Metro, Owen said: "I think there can be a few title challengers this season. You look at Arsenal’s points tally and it wasn’t in the nineties so they only have to drop a little and with Chelsea not in Europe, they can mount a challenge.
"New managers at Liverpool and (Manchester) City could hit a good run of form early on and be in with a shout as well. Tottenham have signed well too.
"So Arsenal are favourites for sure, but it’s not a foregone conclusion that they win it comfortably."
Despite winning the 2024/25 Premier League title with weeks to spare, the Reds struggling badly last season and eventually dragged themselves to a fifth place finish, which was ultimately enough to secure Champions League football once more.
However, it was not enough to save Arne Slot's job, and he has since been replaced by the Spaniard Andoni Iraola, who guided Bournemouth to European qualification for the first time in their history last season.
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Speaking specifically about Liverpool's prospects on their new boss, Owen said: "Last season at Liverpool wasn’t great, the style of play wasn’t as good as it had been and they conceded far too many goals.
"But Slot leaving and Iraola replacing him means a new style of play. He brings a lot of excitement from the way he played at Bournemouth, but Liverpool are a much bigger club and the pressure mounts up now.
"I do think Liverpool need more, but it looks like Barcola is the one they want and it will cost them a huge amount of money to get him in. But if they can do that and add more depth, more quality, then they can really challenge for the title."
Nevertheless, Owen has predicted Arsenal to win the title, with Liverpool second, Chelsea third and Manchester City fourth.
Owen also had a spell during his career with Manchester United, who he has tipped to finish fifth, with a rejuvinated Tottenham Hotspur completing the top six.