England legend and former Everton striker Gary Lineker has predicted that Liverpool will finish fourth in the Premier League table this season.
The Reds, who replaced former boss Jurgen Klopp with ex-Feyenoord manager Arne Slot earlier in May, finished third in the Premier League table last season. They were in the title race for most of the 2023-24 campaign but faltered in the final gameweeks, finishing on 82 points.
During a chat on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker was queried to predict Liverpool’s 2024-25 Premier League term. He replied (h/t TBR):
“I’m going to go one down, fourth! I think it would be impossible for them after Jurgen Klopp. I really do. I think they’ll probably just get the Champions League spot.”
Lineker, who scored 38 goals in 53 matches for Everton, concluded:
“I just don’t know how when someone [has been] so dominant at a club for so long that whoever comes in, it’s going to be impossible for. I hope I’m wrong, [Slot] seems like a great guy and as you said, they have gone well in pre-season. But, fourth for me.”
Liverpool will open their 2024-25 Premier League season with a match against newly promoted outfit Ipswich Town this Saturday (August 17).
Liverpool’s Arne Slot lambasts critics calling out Merseyside club for lack of new players
During a recent press conference, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was asked to opine on his team’s lack of summer business. He replied (h/t Liverpool Echo):
“That argument I don’t understand. If you don’t strengthen, you become weaker? We stay the same. I truly believe you can help on the training ground and improve. It has helped players to improve here. If others clubs strengthen, they become better but it’s not always true new players make you stronger.”
Slot, who helped Feyenoord win two trophies, further commented:
“Every player in the team needs perspective on playing time. If you keep bringing in players the energy goes down. Me and [sporting director] Richard [Hughes] are trying to strengthen, if we think we have found someone, we try to bring him. Unfortunately, the one we found [Martin Zubimendi] said no.”
The Merseyside club, who are yet to rope in a new player this summer, were rejected by Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi earlier this month.
Slot’s side are reportedly on the lookout for a new defensive midfielder, a new centre-back, and a new attacker before the end of this summer.
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Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee
