Liverpool have endured a torrid start to the season in terms of losing their key man in defence in Virgil van Dijk but Alan Shearer insists they are one of only two teams who will win the Premier League. The Van Dijk injury is expected to be a game-changer to an extent this season as the reigning champions become just a little more vulnerable, but this hasn’t stopped a solid start to the campaign overall. City, meanwhile, are back in tenth and five points behind Liverpool with a game in hand on Jurgen Klopp ‘s men. Despite the parity in the top tier this season, Shearer still firmly believes it will be a battle between Liverpool and City for the title, with the former Newcastle United and England star not able to see past the two rivals.
Alan Shearer said “I still see Liverpool and Manchester City as the standout teams in the Premier League and think one of them will win the title – but Leicester and Tottenham might have something to say about that, Southampton also spent some time on top of the table over the weekend and it is pretty refreshing to see some different teams up there. It certainly keeps things interesting and it’s something that might last a bit longer too. The big thing that has stood out already about this season is how unpredictable it has been compared to previous years. Every team has had at least one bad day – including all of the sides I have just mentioned. That makes it exciting, and I don’t see it changing anytime soon, partly because of the intense schedule and the number of injuries that clubs are going to have to cope with – which is turning into another common theme. They [Liverpool] can still terrify teams when they pour forward and, like City, they are not going away anytime soon. This season may be unpredictable, but one of them will end it as champions, I am certain of that.”
