Danny Murphy feels that ‘the evidence points’ to Liverpool winning the Premier League title this season, while Manchester United will pip Arsenal to fourth place in the table.
The season gets underway this Saturday with Liverpool defending their title and Manchester City looking to regain it after finishing 18 points behind the Reds in second place last campaign.
Murphy believes it will be the same two teams occupying the top two spots at the end of next season, but his former side Liverpool still have the edge, despite a lack of new signings, although everything would have been different if City had signed Lionel Messi.
‘I think either Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola will be champions again in May but I believe the latest twist in Lionel Messi’s on-off move to Manchester City swings the advantage back to Anfield,’ Murphy wrote for the Daily Mail.
‘As it stands, the evidence points to Liverpool. Everything about the team works, everyone understands their jobs from full-backs to up front. To use a car analogy, you know they’ll pass the MOT before going into the garage.’
Murphy has been thoroughly impressed with Chelsea’s transfer business this summer, which will see them into third place in the table, while he reckons Manchester United will take fourth spot, despite an improving Arsenal challenging them for it.
‘Outside the top two, there have been some exciting signings,’ the former England international continued.
‘Thiago is probably the most clever business. A new backline Chelsea back line of Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger, Silva and Chilwell has real pedigree and Premier League know-how.
‘FA Cup and Community Shield winners Arsenal have been transformed under Mikel Arteta and have added Willian and centre-back Gabriel Maghaeles to the outstanding youngsters they’ve got, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang likely to stay.
‘They could challenge Manchester United for a top four place though United still have a slight edge.’
