Emile Heskey predicts Liverpool's final Premier League table position in great season for Arne Slot

Liverpool has made a flawless start to 2024/25. On Sunday, its aspirations for the season will face a severe test at Old Trafford, a ground at which the Reds have only won four league matches in the last two decades.

Win, draw or lose against Manchester United this weekend, the result will not determine the season. There is far too much football left for the outcome to prove definitive either way.

Former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey is confident that his old team can have a good campaign under new head coach Arne Slot. Unlike some doom mongers, Heskey does not predict a serious downturn from Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign.

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Liverpool finished third last season, as you no doubt recall. The Reds were top of the Premier League in early April but stumbled home to sit behind Manchester City and Arsenal.

The bookmakers believe Liverpool will take the same berth in the table at the end of 2024/25. There will be fans, both Reds and rival, who look at the club’s relative lack of transfer activity and predict problems ahead. Heskey thinks otherwise, despite the squad experiencing the transition from Klopp to Slot.

“A good first season for Liverpool would be top four,” he said. “No one likes change, but change is inevitable, and it’ll come down to how quickly the players grasp what Arne [Slot] wants.”

“I came to the last pre-season game at Anfield [against Sevilla], and I enjoyed it, to be honest with you. The way that he plays, it’s risky but it’s exciting, and it’ll always have you on the edge of your seat.”

“It’s really good to watch, as a spectator. I’m guessing Liverpool are going to be up there, challenging, but a lot will depend on how the squad can keep up with things,” Heskey added. He also identified what he believes is the factor that will be key to the Reds having a strong campaign, even without making too many moves in the transfer market.

“I do think that what Liverpool have at this moment in time is enough, if they can keep this group of players fit. And that’s a problem for any squad up and down the country; that’s not just a Liverpool issue. If they can stay injury-free, then I believe that starting XI is good enough to be challenging.” Let's hope Heskey is proved correct.

Emile Heskey was exclusively speaking to Ladbrokes, official betting partner of Liverpool FC

Liverpool.com says: Most Liverpool fans will probably agree with Heskey's assessment. While the squad may not have been significantly improved, have the chasing pack got that much better? It doesn't look that way at present.