Alan Shearer predicts Liverpool top four hopes, Prem winner, and every place from 1-20

Alan Shearer has predicted Liverpool to clinch Champions League football in Arne Slot's debut season. The Newcastle legend has picked the Reds to finish third – the same position they came under Jurgen Klopp in their last campaign, while also predicting what the entire Premier League table will look like come the end of the season.

Alongside Liverpool, Shearer backed his former side Newcastle to claim the final place in the top four. Meanwhile, he picked Arsenal to break their 20-year league title duck by pipping Manchester City to the title – putting an end to their record-setting run of four consecutive titles.

With the 2024/25 campaign kicking off on Friday (August 16) with Manchester United taking on Fulham, the Premier League's all-time top goalscorer spoke to Betfair about Liverpool's chance to capture a top four spot in their first season without Jurgen Klopp since 2015.

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"I think Liverpool will finish in the top four again," Shearer said (via the Express). I'd be hopeful of Newcastle because they haven't got European football to contend with this year so in terms of injuries and squad availability, that should help them. If they can get a free run then I'd be hopeful that Newcastle could finish fourth."

Shearer acknowledged that there will be numerous teams in the hunt for the top four, including Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Manchester United. He praised the latter for their performance in their Community Shield defeat to their city rivals but omitted them in his predictions.

"There are other teams that will be challenging. I was impressed with Man United in the Community Shield. They looked really good and had the better chances - albeit Man City still had a few players out injured or still recovering from the Euros but I think it'll be a really tight race for the top four.

"I think Spurs will challenge again. Dominic Solanke is a good signing for them. They paid a lot of money for him but he's what they needed and he will help them kick on a little bit more as well."

Turning his attention to the relegation battle, Shearer predicted an immediate return to the Championship for all three newly-promoted teams, naming Ipswich Town, Southampton, and Leicester City as his picks for the drop.

"It's not rocket science to know that the three promoted teams will find it really difficult," he added.

"Leicester might even have a punishment to face at some stage and if they do then it'll be very difficult for them to survive in the Premier League.

"Everton and Bournemouth may find themselves in a tricky situation, along with Nottingham Forest. Wolves have had to sell the likes of Max Kilman and Pedro Neto too but as usual I think the newly-promoted sides Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester will find it difficult to stay up."

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