Chris Sutton has backed Liverpool to be a ‘bigger challenger’ to Manchester City’s title defence than Arsenal this season.
The 50-year-old pointed to the club’s summer business, which has significantly strengthened their midfield department.
That said, there was some concern expressed for the Reds’ £136.25m defensive department (taking into account transfer fees paid for Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate).
“Just because of the midfield players they’ve bought, but the rotation which they can have in forward areas – and you never leave Salah out – but they’ve got so many good options in forward areas,” the BBC Sport pundit spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.
“I’m still slightly worried about them defensively.
“I was at the Etihad at the weekend and Manchester City were brilliant in the first-half but they’re looking a little bit… not going to say vulnerable but I think Liverpool will be a bigger challenger to City than Arsenal will.”
The Merseysiders currently find themselves fourth in the Premier League table, only a point behind Manchester City and Arsenal and three behind league leaders Tottenham.
It’s still very early doors, though Jurgen Klopp’s men are looking very much value for money this term – in stark contrast to the downturn in fortunes experienced in 2022/23.
Sutton’s right to address the backline, however, amid ongoing concerns over Ibrahima Konate’s injury-proneness (not to forget Joel Matip in that conversation either) and the lack of suitable cover for Virgil van Dijk.
To a certain degree, of course, it won’t necessarily be possible to have like-for-like cover for every top talent in the squad, though we’d like to think that signing a left-footed centre-back will be made a priority for the next two windows in light of limited availability.
#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones🎙️