Gerrard names surprise Liverpool title challengers, Man United brutally snubbed
Steven Gerrard has named who will he believes will be Liverpool’s toughest opponents when they defend their Premier League title next season.
Gerrard narrowly missed out on winning the English trophy in his storied career, most notably in the season when he slipped and gave the ball to Demba Ba against Chelsea in 2013-14.
The former Reds captain has been out of a job since leaving Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq in January, but Gerrard has been linked with a return to management.
Gerrard names five Liverpool title rivals for next season
Liverpool finished 10 points clear of the closest challengers Arsenal this season, but their next campaign may not be so easy.
In quotes reported by TNT Sports (3 June), Gerrard named a club he had managed before, Aston Villa, as a surprise candidate for the league title, while brutally snubbing Manchester United.
“Liverpool will be well aware that City are going to come back, Arsenal are looking stronger again, the likes of Chelsea are building nicely, Newcastle, and Villa are coming in behind,” he said.
The ex-English international spent 17 years at Anfield and made 504 Premier League appearances.
Gerrard believes Liverpool are the favourites to go back-to-back in 2025/2026, saying: “Liverpool will be well aware that they’re going to be the ones that are hunted now.
“Evidence suggests that Liverpool are going to be strong in the transfer market, so Liverpool are the team to catch for sure.”
The TNT pundit did not mention Man United in his list to challenge the champions after a shocking season where they finished 15th and lost to Spurs in the Europa League final.
The Reds tied United’s record of 20 top-flight titles in 2024/2025, and may be able to rub even more salt in the wounds next year.
Liverpool need new world-class players to boost title hopes
Arne Slot’s title win in his first season never looked a doubt, with Mohammed Salah having a sensational record this year.
But there were some noticeable weaknesses in the squad. An absence of a prolific striker was evident as Darwin Nunez struggled to get minutes, and Andy Robertson wasn’t as reliable as fans have come to expect.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid transfer seemed to distract him from his boyhood club, and his performances tailed away.
Liverpool’s big-money signing of Florian Wirtz from Bayern Leverkusen is whiskers away, and will hopefully be a sign of things to come in Merseyside.
The Kopites have been successful in persuading players to leave the German side as right-back Jeremie Frimpong has joined Liverpool for £29.5million.
Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez is looking likely to join the English champions for £40m and provide strength on the left side.