Former Manchester United defender and Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has made a surprising prediction about Liverpool’s prospects for the upcoming Premier League season.
Neville suggests that Liverpool could face a challenging season without Jurgen Klopp, potentially finishing outside the top six.
Jurgen Klopp’s Departure: The End of an Era at Liverpool
After nine years of remarkable success, Jurgen Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season, marking the end of an era.
Klopp’s time at Anfield was illustrious, leading the Reds to multiple trophies, including a Premier League title that ended the club’s 30-year wait. Under his leadership, Liverpool were perennial title contenders.
However, with Klopp gone and Arne Slot now at the helm, there is uncertainty about how the team will perform without him, especially given the lack of new signings this summer, which has frustrated supporters.
Despite this uncertainty, Liverpool had a strong pre-season, winning all their games, including impressive victories over Manchester United, Arsenal, and Sevilla. Nevertheless, Neville remains skeptical about their chances in the Premier League.
Gary Neville on Liverpool’s Upcoming Season
In the latest episode of the “Stick to Football” podcast, Neville expressed doubts about Liverpool’s ability to finish in the top four, even suggesting they might struggle to make the top six.
He questioned whether the loss of Klopp’s leadership could negatively impact the team, drawing comparisons to other clubs where the departure of a successful manager led to a significant decline.
Neville also pointed out that the lack of new signings and possible uncertainty within the squad could contribute to their struggles this season.
He remarked, “I’m not sure about the top four. My surprise is Liverpool won’t finish in the top six. Is there a risk, given what Klopp got out of that group last season, that Liverpool could struggle purely due to the loss of their manager, similar to what has happened with other clubs?”
Neville also suggested that missing out on key signings could unsettle the team, especially the older players, who might feel uneasy about the club’s direction.
Liverpool will kick off their season with an away game against newly promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday.
