Liverpool tipped for title challenge thanks to 'important' summer signing

Updated: 18 Oct 2023 12:49 BST
4 min read

Former Liverpool player Boudewijn Zenden believes that the Reds can challenge for the Premier League title this season.

After a torrid campaign last term, Jurgen Klopp's Reds are looking a lot better this time around. While still not wholly convincing in every game, Klopp's side, thanks to a new-look midfield, is much improved.

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Many believe that it will be Arsenal and Manchester City again who will battle it out for the Premier League title just like last season, with Ange Postecoglou's exciting Tottenham a dark horse for an unlikely challenge.

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The conversation around Liverpool potentially reclaiming their place in the sun has been rather quiet, with the exception of the controversial Spurs game after which many Reds felt as though they had been robbed of a potentially title-deciding point (or three).

Ex-Liverpool player Boudewijn Zenden, however, is making no bones about his belief that his former club will be right up there come the end of the season.

What did Zenden say?

“City and Arsenal", Zenden told Soccernews.nl, "fought for the top spots last season and are not much different this season either. Liverpool suffered a lot last year due to injuries and results. It didn't work at all."

"The question was asked whether Jurgen Klopp could pull the team out of the doldrums. Fortunately, the club has kept the confidence. A lot of guys left, but they replaced them in a good way. We've seen Liverpool get back in the game. I don't think the Premier League is a two-horse race this year. Liverpool is going to get involved in the title fight.”

Asked whether his compatriot Ryan Gravenberch, whom the Reds acquired on Deadline Day for €40 million, could be a difference-maker, Zenden answered in the affirmative: “All players new to the Premier League need time to get used to the number of matches and the intensity of play. Gravenberch will gradually start to feel better."

"He will certainly be important, but the question is in what role? More conservative? Or moving forward with freedom? Currently, Alexis Mac Allister has the conservative role. Gravenberch is a player who, based on his Ajax DNA, wants to move the game forward and appear in the spaces."

"In the last match against Brighton, he hit the crossbar after a counter. It is a puzzle for the coach to fit him in, but I am sure that Gravenberch can be important for Liverpool with his quality.”