Michael Owen predicts where Liverpool FC, Man City will finish this season
Michael Owen predicts where Manchester City and Liverpool FC will finish in the title race this season
Michael Owen is backing Liverpool FC to finish behind defending champions Manchester City in the Premier League title race this season.
The Reds were narrowly beaten to their first-ever Premier League crown last term after Liverpool FC finished a point adrift of Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s side only lost one game in 38 outings but their 2-1 loss to the Citizens ultimately proved to be the difference in the title race.
Liverpool FC ended the 2018-19 season on a positive note after the Merseyside outfit were 2-0 winners against Tottenham Hotspur in the Champions League final in Madrid.
The 18-time English champions haven’t strengthened their squad in the summer, aside from the addition of teenagers Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott.
Former Liverpool FC striker Owen doesn’t envisage the Reds ending their title drought in the Premier League this term.
“Champions League winners Liverpool look set to again be the main challengers to City as they continue their search for a, hitherto, elusive Premier League title,” Owen told BetVictor.
“The Reds played their part in a magnificent title race last season and they are sure to have their supporters as they bid to go one better, but I just favour City in what looks a virtual match between these two great sides.”
Manchester City will be without their talismanic skipper Vincent Kompany after the Belgian defender took over as player-manager at Anderlecht this summer.
The Citizens have signed Spanish holding midfielder Rodri to ease the workload on Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho in the Premier League next term.
BT Sport pundit Owen believes Manchester City could still sign a new defender before the start of the 2019-20 Premier League season.
“City will miss the presence around the dressing room of skipper Vincent Kompany this season, but they remain the team to beat although they picked up a meagre 98 points last season compared to their century in the previous campaign!” Owen added.
“Kevin de Bruyne missed long periods through injury last season and his return to full fitness allied to the acquisition of club record signing, Spanish holding midfielder, Rodri makes the City midfield better than ever.
“It is a big season for John Stones who has the opportunity to cement his place at the heart of the defence alongside Aymeric Laporte. That said I wouldn’t rule out Guardiola making a move between now and the end of the window for another central defender.”
Liverpool FC were unable to beat Manchester City in the Premier League last term.
