Will Liverpool retain the Premier League title next season? Chelsea, Man United and City backed to challenge

Standard Sport27 June 2020

Here, Stand Sport's reporters consider whether Liverpool will make it back-to-back Premier League crowns in 2020-21.

David Lynch

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, Liverpool viewed this summer as an opportunity to leave their Premier League rivals in the dust.

The signing of Timo Werner appeared a formality, and would have ensured a much-needed fourth high-quality option up top was added in order to give Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah the occasional breather.

What's more, the expected absence of the latter pair due to the Africa Cup of Nations would have been covered.

Of course, the spread of Covid-19 brought a degree of uncertainty to the Reds' finances, a fact that is likely to make for another quiet summer. Whether that deeply impacts Liverpool's title defence perhaps depends most on whether, as has been mooted, the Afcon in fact gets postponed in light of an unworkable qualifying schedule.

If that is the case, then Jurgen Klopp will see no reason why the squad at his disposal cannot repeat this season's feats.

James Robson

REUTERS

City set a benchmark I didn’t believe would be passed. The standards set by them created the Liverpool we see now.

I’m intrigued to see what type of a reaction they now provoke from their rivals.

I don’t see them falling away - but if they manage to maintain this form for a third season it will surpass what even City have achieved under Pep Guardiola (above).

It remains to be seen if those standards can be maintained by anyone.

City still look like the likeliest challengers next season, even if Manchester United and Chelsea have made strides.

Even if they do retain their title, I don’t see their lead being as emphatic next season.

Simon Collings

Getty Images

While Thursday night may have been Liverpool’s coronation as Premier League champions, it also offered us a reminder of how there may be a new contender for the title next season.

Chelsea are beginning to look like the real deal under Frank Lampard and - in an era when many clubs are feeling the financial strain of the coronavirus - the backing they have from owner Roman Abramovich is crucial.

The Russian looks ready to bankroll another push for the title and the signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner (above) are a statement of intent. Add Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz and Chelsea will really mean business.

After a season like this from Liverpool it is difficult to imagine them surrendering their crown, but if history has taught us anything it is that eras of dominance are hard to come by.

Just a few years ago we thought Manchester City would bring one in when they won the League with 100 points, but now Liverpool are on top.

Things can change very quickly in football - and Chelsea and Manchester City are coming for Liverpool.

Dan Kilpatrick

PA

It wasn’t so long ago that a prolonged period of Manchester City dominance seemed all but inevitable.

But the Premier League tends to ebb and flow, with periods of supremacy often more short-lived than expected — particularly since Sir. Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

So while Liverpool have set the standard and established a blueprint for success at home and in Europe, the chasing pack should remain optimistic.

Chelsea and Manchester United are showing particular promise and look well-placed to exploit the devastating impact of the shutdown on their European rivals in the transfer market. With clever signings this summer, the pair will hope to re-establish the old Premier League power structures as soon as next season.

Jack Rosser

REUTERS

The decision over Manchester City's European ban will have quite the sway on the title race for next season and beyond.

Should Pep Guardiola's side be out of the Champions League for one season only, it is hard to see past them for the title, regardless of the gap between themselves and Liverpool this season. Remain banned for two years and they could lose plenty of top talent.

The dominance of Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson was so prolonged thanks to his fearless approach to refreshing the squad, even when it seemed as if there was no worked needed. It will be interesting to see how Liverpool work the transfer market in order to keep everyone in the squad on their toes.

In terms of transfers, Chelsea's signings of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have catapulted the Blues into the conversation as contenders next season, though there remains plenty for Frank Lampard to work on before his side can be as confident and controlling as either Liverpool or City.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in

MORE ABOUT