MY ACCOUNT
Alan Shearer is expecting a Premier League season like no other — but firmly believes the title race will remain a two-horse battle between Manchester City and Liverpool.
Pep Guardiola’s City retained their crown by just a point last term after being run close by the Reds in a thrilling campaign.
And Newcastle legend Shearer, 51, expects more of the same in 2022-23.
Writing in his BBC column, the former England striker said: “The winter World Cup means this will be a Premier League season like no other.
“But one thing will be the same — it’s between Manchester City and Liverpool for the title.
“When I look at the group of teams immediately below them, Tottenham and Arsenal have both improved a lot but I still don’t think it will be enough for either of them to maintain a challenge.
“There’s a gap between the top two and the rest, not only because of the quality we know City and Liverpool have got, but also down to their belief and a relentless drive for success that stems from their managers.
“City are going for a hat-trick of titles. That’s an achievement only Manchester United have managed in the Premier League era, which tells you how difficult it is, but it’s in Pep’s sights now.
“Liverpool will have been disappointed to only end up with two domestic cups last season from a campaign that promised so much, but we know exactly how they are going to react.
“Even just watching them in the Community Shield and seeing the body language of Jurgen Klopp and his team in that game, you can see they are up for the fight again.
“Only one point separated them in the end last time and it is going to be incredibly tight this season.
“If I had to choose a winner now, it would be City — just about — because of Erling Haaland.
“They won the title [last season] without using a real centre forward. Now they have got one who could and should score a minimum of 30 goals this season.”
While Chelsea are always expected to be in the mix for silverware, Shearer does not believe they have the firepower to trouble the favourites.
He added: “Right now, Chelsea just don’t carry the same attacking threat. They were really disappointing in the league last season, as was Romelu Lukaku.
“Lukaku has left on loan now. And although Raheem Sterling is a good buy and Carney Chukwuemeka is an exciting prospect, I still think they are three or four signings away from challenging for the title again.
“Without a doubt, centre forward is one of the positions where they are short.”
Alan Shearer joins Gary Lineker and Ian Wright for Match of the Day on Saturday at 10.20pm on BBC One and the BBC Sport website for highlights of seven Premier League games.
