Emile Heskey has identified what he sees as a key factor to Liverpool reclaiming the Premier League title this season while outlining his fears that Jurgen Klopp “missed a trick” in this summer’s transfer window.
Liverpool won the 2019/20 Premier League with a record seven games to spare – their first title for 30 years – but Manchester City secured their third crown in four seasons under Pep Guardiola last term.
Seven games into the new campaign, Liverpool went into the current international break in second place in the table, a point behind leaders Chelsea and one point above third placed Manchester City.
Speaking on the Early Doors Football Podcast , Heskey, who played 223 games for Liverpool, scoring 60 goals, between 2000-04, assessed Klopp’s side’s title chances.
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He said: “The key thing with a lot of teams is how can they keep their starting XI fit.
“When you look at Liverpool’s starting XI it’s arguably the best in the Premier League.
“Manchester City have a good one but I think they’re missing a central focal point when it comes to the forwards.
“When you’re talking about the team, arguably Liverpool have the strongest.
“If Liverpool can keep that team fit for a season, you’re looking at them challenging with Manchester City but it’s going to be a three-horse race for me because Chelsea are going to be there or thereabouts.
“Tuchel has got them playing really and they are solid. They stay in games.
“If you stay in games, you’ve got a chance of nicking it at the end.
“Chelsea have that ability of staying in a game. I wouldn’t say they’re going to dominate Manchester City, I wouldn’t say they’re going to dominate Liverpool, but they stay in the game.
“In that three-horse race, I think Liverpool have a chance of winning it but it’s all about if they can keep that starting XI fit.”
Liverpool made just one major signing over the summer with centre-back Ibrahima Konate joining from RB Leipzig.
Asked if there’s anyone else he’d have liked to have seen come in, Heskey said: “A centre-forward, someone who is going to get you 20 goals plus per season and is going to be commanding in the middle as well.
“I love Firmino. I love the way that he plays but at times I think it needs a little bit something different.
“Looking at Lukaku going to Chelsea, Manchester United signing Ronaldo, I just think Liverpool could be missing a trick.
“We know that Salah is going to get you 20 plus, we know that Mane is going to get you 15 plus but do we know that Firmino is going to get you 15 plus?
“We need someone who is going to get you 20/25 plus.”
- Emile Heskey was talking as a guest on episode 7 of the Early Doors Football Podcast - which is available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can hear the full interview with Emile by searching for 'Early Doors Football Podcast' or by clicking here
