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Pundit Ally McCoist has revealed that Liverpool’s underwhelming start to the new Premier League campaign has caused him to change his pre-season prediction on which club will win the 2025/26 title.
The Reds have won five of their six games at the start of the new season and currently top the standings, but Arne Slot’s side are yet to produce a convincing display across 90 minutes.
That applies to all competitions, with Liverpool losing the Community Shield against Crystal Palace and relying on late goals to salvage victories in cup wins over Southampton and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks.
Liverpool’s penchant for grabbing dramatic winners in the final stages of games got it out of several sticky situations across August and September, but that has dried up in recent weeks.
Indeed, the Reds have suffered back-to-back defeats in the last two matches, losing to Palace last weekend and then in Tuesday’s trip to Galatasaray.
Liverpool’s disjointed performances have resulted in widespread criticism, and McCoist now feels Arsenal is favorite to clinch top spot this season.
“At the start of the season when we do our predictions I fancy Liverpool, right? I really did,” the Scotsman said on talkSPORT. “I thought with a window they have had and they’ve strengthened incredibly well.
“But bizarrely after [Dominik] Szoboszlai scored that goal to beat Arsenal, I have a sneaky wee feeling for Arsenal.
“I just think defensively, I look at two center-backs, even [Cristhian] Mosquera, who came on at the centre-back. I like him. David Raya is a good goalie.
“I just worry about Liverpool if they lost Alisson or, particularly [Virgil] van Dijk. I think we are in for a brilliant season.”
McCoist’s prediction will be tested further this weekend with the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
Arsenal heads into the weekend in second place, just two points behind Liverpool. The Gunners could even move top of the table should they beat West Ham United at home in Saturday’s 15:00 BST (10:00 ET) kick-off.
Liverpool kicks off a few hours later in what promises to be an intriguing clash against Chelsea. The Blues’ form has dramatically tailed off in recent weeks, with just one point earned from the last three Premier League matches.
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