Liverpool legend claims Liverpool won’t be anywhere near the Premier League title race

Liverpool legend claims Liverpool won’t be anywhere near the Premier League title racePremier League Title Race 2026-27: Man City and Arsenal Lead Early Predictions

style="text-align: justify;">The Premier League predictions for 2026-27 are already beginning to take shape, even with significant business still to be completed before the transfer window closes. Early assessments around the division point towards a familiar debate at the top, with Manchester City and Arsenal viewed as the standout contenders, while Liverpool are seen as some way short of mounting a serious challenge.

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style="text-align: justify;">That outlook comes at a time of considerable change among England’s leading clubs. Arsenal enter the new season as reigning champions after ending their long wait for the title in 2025-26. City are embarking on a new era under Enzo Maresca, Liverpool have turned to Andoni Iraola following a difficult campaign and Chelsea are also adjusting to fresh leadership under Xabi Alonso. In that context, pre-season optimism has spread across the league, but the suggestion from Jamie Carragher is that only two clubs should genuinely believe the trophy is within reach.

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Arsenal and Manchester City set early pace

style="text-align: justify;">In his view, the current landscape is relatively clear despite the caveat that the market can still alter the balance. He said: “Where we are right now, and we know there’s still a month to go transfer-wise, I can only see Arsenal or City,” he said.

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style="text-align: justify;">That assessment places Arsenal and Manchester City in a tier of their own at this stage. Arsenal’s consistency last season has carried real weight in shaping expectations, while City’s enduring quality has ensured they remain firmly in the conversation even after a managerial change that would be destabilising for most clubs.

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style="text-align: justify;">Maresca’s appointment at the Etihad is seen as one of the most important variables in the division this season. The Italian inherits the demanding task of succeeding Pep Guardiola, yet there is confidence in some quarters that his tactical profile makes him an especially strong fit. The former Liverpool and England defender added: “There’s a question because he [Maresca] is new to the role but I’m a fan of Maresca in terms of what he does on the pitch, in terms of what happened at Chelsea, in terms of watching him tactically and how he set up.

“The problems they caused Liverpool at times, when Liverpool won the league under Arne Slot, the two Chelsea games, I was looking at them and thinking, ‘This fella knows what he’s doing’, and I think he’s very capable at the level he’s coaching at.”Rodri factor could shape Manchester City hopes

style="text-align: justify;">There is, however, one major issue that could shift the title picture. Rodri’s future has been highlighted as a decisive factor for City, particularly amid continued links with Real Madrid. On that point, the warning was explicit: “If Rodri stays or goes that could be a huge factor,” the defender-turned-pundit claimed.

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style="text-align: justify;">Pressed to name an outright winner, he sided with City for now. His reasoning was based on their competitiveness last season and the possibility that a fresh managerial voice could sharpen a squad that remains among the strongest in Europe. He said: “I think City. The reason I think City is that I think they were still close last year. I know Pep’s gone, I get that.

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style="text-align: justify;">“When you’ve had the same manager for 10 years, the flip side of what people will say is that it’s hard to come after him. Just something a little bit new, a little bit fresh. I think if Rodri leaves for Real Madrid then I wouldn’t be saying that but in terms of where they are right now…”

Liverpool title hopes questioned under Andoni Iraola

style="text-align: justify;">Liverpool’s position in these early projections is far less encouraging. Following a disappointing 2025-26 season and a subsequent managerial reset, there is currently little sense that they are ready to rejoin the front line of the Premier League title race. The judgment was blunt: “Right now I don’t think Liverpool are equipped to be thinking about a title.”

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style="text-align: justify;">That feeling is tied both to the scale of the rebuild and the work still needed in the transfer market. He continued: “Who knows what’s going to happen over the next month but I don’t think they’re close to that,” he added.

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style="text-align: justify;">The comments also touched on Liverpool’s recruitment direction, with concern expressed over pursuit of Bradley Barcola. Elsewhere, Manchester United were effectively dismissed as potential champions. The view there was that Michael Carrick’s side may at least be moving away from a damaging obsession with marquee names, a strategy that has complicated planning at Old Trafford for several years.

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style="text-align: justify;">As things stand, the early Premier League title race appears to revolve around Arsenal and Manchester City. Liverpool, for now, have substantial ground to make up.