Rio Ferdinand believes Liverpool are still favourites to win the Premier League title despite their rivals strengthening in the transfer market.
Last season’s runners-up, Manchester City, have added Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres to their squad, while Chelsea have added no fewer than seven new players to their playing roster from last season.
Joining Frank Lampard’s side for the new season are Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva, Xavier Mbuyamba, Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr and Kai Havertz.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ruthlessly swept aside all before them last season, and ended up finishing the campaign a whopping 18 points clear of City.
Former Manchester United defender Ferdinand says the chasing pack should believe they can close the gap and even knock Liverpool off their perch this season, though he believes the Reds remain title favourites.
“No one can say Liverpool had a freak season because they finished so far ahead of their rivals, but they did have one big factor on their side that they cannot guarantee going forward,” Ferdinand told TEAMtalk.
“The key for them has been having their key players fit for the best part of two seasons. It has been massive and what we have yet to find out is how they will cope if they are to lose a few big names for an extended period.
“Virgil van Dijk has played nearly every game for two seasons and it’s hard to keep that going. Mo Salah has been fit for all the big games and so has Sadio Mane.
“What have they got in reserve to come in for these proven stars and maintain this level of consistency? That’s what we are waiting to see.
“Questions will be asked of this Liverpool team and their recruitment from this point forward. Their front three have been fit consistently and they might need to look at having some better quality in reserve if Salah or Mane, in particular, are out for a long period.
“When I look at the teams I played in when we were winning titles every season at Manchester United, we never had two seasons when all the top players were fit for the big games, so Liverpool have had some fortune there and obviously do things right on the medical side as well to get their players right.
“If they can continue to keep those players fit, I don’t see Liverpool being stopped this season, but it is unlikely that will happen year after year. If things change with the personnel, it opens it up for the other teams and not just Man City.”
*Let us know you score predictions for Liverpool's clash with Leeds in the comments section
