Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Football, Liverpool, Premier League, Sadio Mane
Rory O'Callaghan
Liverpool won't finish in the top four this season, according to former Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham defender William Gallas.
Liverpool finished just a point behind Premier League champions Manchester City last season and have secured a top-four finish in each of the last six seasons under Jurgen Klopp.
But the Reds have made a shaky start to the current campaign, drawing 2-2 away at newly-promoted Fulham in their opening game.
Gallas expects Liverpool to struggle this season without Sadio Mane, who joined Bayern Munich in a £35m move earlier this summer, and believes they will finish outside the top four for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.
"As an ex-London player, I have to say Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham to win the Premier League," said Gallas, speaking on behalf of Genting Casino.
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"On top four, Liverpool can miss out because they don't have Sadio Mane anymore and [Luis] Diaz does not have the same impact.
"Liverpool always concede goals too, like we saw against Fulham. Even if I like how Liverpool play, I think it will be City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham."
Sunday sees two of Gallas' former clubs go head-to-head in the Premier League, with Chelsea taking on London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
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Spurs thrashed Southampton 4-1 in their opening game of the new season, while Chelsea laboured to a 1-0 win over Everton at Goodison Park.
But Gallas expects this weekend's match to end in a draw.
"I think it will be very tight," he said.
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"Tottenham look good, they have good players and the only thing with Chelsea is that they don't have a real striker and that can be a problem for Chelsea as it becomes difficult for them to score goals or to create chances.
"That is why that game will be very tight, I predict a draw."
Meanwhile, Gallas believes Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta faces the sack if he is unable to guide the Gunners to a top-four finish this season after narrowly missing out on the Champions League places in the 2021-22 campaign.
"Of course he will be in big trouble if they don't make top four," added Gallas.
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"Arteta has been asked to make the top four and he didn't do it last season. If Arsenal don't play in the Champions League next season, it would cause a lot of drama.
"They have to have a great season, possibly win the Premier League, at least qualify for the Champions League.
"They have just bought new players, it's in the hands of Arteta and the players. It will be a big problem for all of them if they don't do their job to qualify in the Champions League."