Mohamed Salah
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Mohamed Salah has downplayed Liverpool’s chances of being Premier League favourites this season, instead backing Arsenal to lift the title for the first time in over two decades.
The Egyptian forward was speaking at the PFA Awards in Manchester on Tuesday after helping Liverpool begin their title defence with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth. The Reds raced into a two-goal lead before being pegged back, only for Federico Chiesa to restore their advantage late on. Salah then sealed the win with a goal of his own.
Despite Liverpool’s strong start, Salah believes Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are the frontrunners in the title race. “I think you have a great team this season,” Salah told AFTV’s Cecil Jee Thomas at the 2025 PFA Awards on Tuesday. “You have a really good chance. I think you are the favourite now… you’ve been together for five years. Hopefully we do it again.”
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Arsenal, who defeated Manchester United 1-0 in their opener, are aiming for their first Premier League crown since 2004. Last season’s champions Manchester City also began in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Wolves 4-0 as they target a return to the summit.
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Salah enjoyed a spectacular individual campaign last year, contributing 29 league goals and 18 assists to fire Liverpool to their 20th domestic title. However, he stopped short of labelling his side the main contenders this time around, despite new boss Arne Slot reinforcing the squad during the summer window.
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Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville echoed Salah’s view, suggesting Arsenal have finally completed the puzzle needed to go all the way. Speaking after Arsenal’s narrow win at Old Trafford, Neville said:“I’m probably going to go with Arsenal because I’ve gone with them the last three seasons. But honestly, Liverpool could easily win the league, especially if they get Alexander Isak. City too, we could be staring the obvious in the face with them signing [Tijjani] Reijnders and having Rodri back. They’ve got Erling Haaland, the best striker in the world, scoring 40 goals a season.”
Neville also pointed to Arsenal’s recent additions, striker Viktor Gyökeres and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, as game-changers for Arteta’s side. “The defence looks outstanding, they look like a real team and they’re tough to beat,” he added.
With Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City all laying down early markers, the Premier League title race already promises to be one of the most compelling in recent years.
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