Liverpool will be pipped by a ‘stronger’ Arsenal to next season’s Premier League if they fail to secure the services of Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, Mark Clattenburg has told the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast.
The former referee believes the Merseyside giants will be weakened by the loss of Luis Diaz and a Mohamed Salah decline in form, losing ground to a renewed Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta‘s side finished ten points behind Liverpool last season but have been strengthened by the signings of prolific Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres and former Reds target Martin Zubimendi.
The Mail exclusively reported this week that Isak is exploring a move away from Newcastle, with news emerging on Wednesday that personal terms between the striker and Liverpool have already been agreed.
The stumbling block for Arne Slot‘s team will be the transfer fee, withewcastle allegedly wanting in excess of £120 million for their star man.
‘Gyokeres signing for Arsenal is genius’, co-host Clattenburg said.
Liverpool will be pipped by a ‘stronger’ Arsenal to next season’s Premier League if they fail to secure the services of Newcastle forward Alexander Isak, Mark Clattenburg has predicted
The former referee believes the Merseyside giants will be weakened by the loss of Luis Diaz and a Mohamed Salah decline in form, losing ground to a renewed Arsenal
Arteta’s side finished ten points behind Liverpool last season but have been strengthened by the signings of prolific striker Viktor Gyokeres and former Reds target Martin Zubimendi
‘Arsenal have been missing goals, they needed that leader upfront. If Liverpool don’t get Isak – I could see the league being really competitive this year.
‘Luis Diaz has left, the new signings they’ve made will have to hit the ground running and Salah is not getting any younger. He’s losing his pace.
‘It all depends on Isak – if he goes, there’s only one winner. But I really fancy Arsenal for the title.’
Liverpool have already splashed a record £263 million this summer on playmaker Florian Wirtz, forward Hugo Ekitike and fullbacks Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.
Despite their spending, Clattenburg believes they still have work to do in the market, with sides such as Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham all looking more capable of taking points from them.
The former referee argued that Liverpool’s point tally from last year is deceptive, with the club only winning the league by maintaining consistency while their rivals endured surprise drops in form.
If they get Isak, Liverpool would boast the league’s two top scorers in their forward line.
Clattenburg said: ‘I enjoyed watching Liverpool last season, but nearer the end, they were caught short a little bit.
‘A lot of the teams around them suffered – and I felt Liverpool were just slightly better than they were.
‘City were poor, Chelsea were indifferent, United and Tottenham weren’t as strong. They weren’t all beating each other, which normally happens.
Mark Clattenburg: ‘Luis Diaz has left, the new signings they’ve made will have to hit the ground running and Salah is not getting any younger. He’s losing his pace.’ Listen here
Liverpool have already splashed a record £263 million this summer on playmaker Florian Wirtz, forward Hugo Ekitike and fullbacks Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong
Despite their spending, Clattenburg believes Liverpool still have work to do in the market. Listen here
‘They maintained some form while the rest dipped – but Arsenal look so much stronger this year, and I think they’ll challenge a lot more.’
Clattenburg was joined by guest host Rory Jennings, football influencer and Chelsea fan.
Jennings mostly agreed with Clattenburg’s predictions, but argued Arsenal are still missing one more pivotal signing to be considered title favourites.
He recommended Crystal Palace attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze as the man capable of elevating Arsenal to Liverpool’s level.
‘At the moment, it is only Arsenal that can really challenge Liverpool’, Jennings told the podcast.
‘If Arsenal were able to pull off one more needle moving signing – like Eberechi Eze – I think we could look at them as favourites.
‘Eze would be the jewel in the crown for Arsenal – he’s like a 1970s throwback, a maverick who’s also a beautiful player.’
To listen to Mark Clattenburg, Rory Jennings and Gordon Smart’s full Premier League predictions, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.