Paul Scholes names the rival for the Premier League title who will worry Manchester City the most
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City will be more worried about Liverpool than Arsenal when it comes to this year's title race.
So says the Manchester United legend and former England midfielder. Pablo Scholes.
city man They are looking to extend their record of five consecutive Premier League titles this season.
They remain the only unbeaten team in the top flight this campaign, although they have dropped points with draws against Newcastle and Arsenal.
Last season, Manchester City were pushed to the final day by the runners-up. Arsenalwho finished the season just two points behind the champion.
Having been in a strong position to win until a late slip last season, Mikel ArtetaThe team is desperate to improve this season.
However, according to Scholes, it is not the Gunners who are the biggest threat to Manchester City's dominance in the top flight.
Scholes joined the regular cast of The overlap Podcast to discuss how some of the title contenders have performed so far.
And he explained exactly who he thinks has the best chance of shaking up Manchester City this season.
“Believe Liverpool“Our team's squad is better than Arsenal's,” he admitted. “I think Guardiola will be more worried about Liverpool than Arsenal.”
Liverpool have won all but one of their first eight Premier League games, after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest in September.
New manager Arne Slot He has been praised for his work, as he also helped the team establish a record that allowed them to win their first six away games in a season for the first time.
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They currently occupy the top positions in the Premier League table.
It had been argued that their start to the season posed few major challenges, and the stakes were high when they faced arguably their toughest rival yet in Chelsea last weekend, whom they defeated 2-1.
One of the standout areas of that victory was their midfield, with Curtis Jones scoring a goal in a performance that earned him the Man of the Match title.
He was supported by an equally strong Ryan Gravenberch, who has received frequent praise this campaign for his work in midfield.
And when they asked Gary Neville To find out what it was about the Reds in this area of the pitch that made them so strong, Scholes highlighted one element in particular that he believes is elevating their game.
“They have legs, don't they?” noticed. “I think that's the biggest thing I noticed at Old Trafford when they played Man United.
“I thought, 'wow, they look like a fit team.' And there's quality to it too.
“Those three in the middle of the field, with the forwards in front of them, I don't think it matters much. We always say that you are only as good as your forwards.”
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“Now they have three forwards, not three, probably five or six, who are special. So I don't think the midfield is that important.
“They still have six though. Three of the six can play and be brilliant.”
“Alexis Mac Allister didn't play this weekend. How good is he?”
And Scholes doesn't just comment on Liverpool's ability.
He also noted that Arsenal have not looked as challenging as in previous campaigns, making them look less dangerous as contenders.
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He also predicted that it would be Slot's team that would emerge victorious when they faced Arteta's team on Sunday.
“Even without the sending offs, I don't think Arsenal were very good,” he said. “I don't think it's flowing like last year. I think Odegaard could be a huge problem.”
