Liverpool written off by 25 BBC pundits in new predictions

Liverpool’s Premier League season begins with a trip to Chelsea on Sunday afternoon and predictions are being made

Liverpool are not being backed to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season by almost all of the 26 BBC Sport pundits who have shared their predictions for 2023/24.

Jurgen Klopp’s side will have a point to prove this campaign after a disappointing fifth-placed finish last term, which saw the Reds miss out on Champions League football for the first time since 2015/16.

Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have so far been added to the ranks as Liverpool look to get back to their best, though there is a growing feeling more needs to be done in the transfer market for the team to enjoy a strong year. The somewhat unexpected departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson has further weakened an area of the pitch in which the Reds were already lacking, placing additional emphasis on recruiting midfielders in the next three weeks.

It remains to be seen just how Liverpool fare this campaign, though those at BBC are not expecting big things. Of the 26 pundits to have forecasted what they believe 23/24 has in store, not one person has tipped them for the title. 21 individuals believe the Reds will make the top four, with just one backing them to claim second spot (Shay Given), 10 votes for third and 10 votes for fourth. Manchester City are the pundits’ overwhelming favourites to clinch the title – only Ellen White (Arsenal) has gone against Pep Guardiola’s side.