Tony Cottee: Liverpool look strong but don't discount Arsenal
LIVERPOOL ARE TITLE FAVOURITES BUT BEWARE MID-SEASON BLIP
Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp as a relatively unknown quantity but he’s done a great job so far.
The players have bought into what he’s doing and the results have been consistent. Liverpool are on the home stretch now and the title is in sight – but they have to beware of a mid-season blip.
Arsenal and Nottingham Forest could spring a few surprises and give them a run for their money. For Arsenal, securing a striker like Alexander Isak would strengthen their title challenge.
Contract issues have been a constant presence at Liverpool this season but they haven’t hindered their performances. I think Trent Alexander-Arnold will go to Real Madrid, Virgil van Dijk will most likely stay for another season and, if Mohamed Salah doesn’t get his three-year deal, he will play in Saudi Arabia.
But Slot’s got them focused on winning games and they’re functioning as a team much better this season.
ISAK IS THE LEAGUE’S BEST STRIKER AND COULD WIN LEAGUE FOR ARSENAL
Newcastle United fans won’t thank me for saying this but Arsenal should break the bank to land Alexander Isak.
I think he’s the best all-round striker this season and is in the form of his life. It’s not just his goalscoring, I think his overall play is some of the best I’ve ever seen from a forward.
He’s up there with Thierry Henry in terms of raw ability and versatility and Henry is the best all-round forward in Premier League history.
Isak can move like Henry; he’s quick and an unbelievable finisher. If Arsenal can sign him, it would give them a chance of winning the league this season.
I’m sure Newcastle would be reluctant to sell him but, if Arsenal can afford £100 million, then Newcastle would probably take it.
Even if he doesn’t end up at Arsenal, he’s going to be at the top of the list for every world-class club looking for a striker.
VAN NISTELROOY HAS GIVEN LEICESTER HOPE BUT RELEGATION BECKONS
Leicester City is your typical yo-yo club at the moment but I’m hoping that Ruud van Nistelrooy will be a stable appointment for the long term.
He needs time to stamp his style on the club. I hope I’m wrong but I think it may be too late to save themselves from relegation this season. Things need to change quickly, especially defensively.
If they can start winning home games and then grabbing what they can away from home, they could gain some momentum – but there’s a lot to do.
You typically need to win 10 Premier League games to survive and, currently, they’ve only won three. That means winning seven of their last 18 games to give themselves a chance of survival.
It’s a huge ask, but I’m sure they’ll give it their best shot.
One advantage they have is Ruud’s connections at Manchester United. He may be tempted to bring in a few loan signings from his old club during this window but they have to be the right fit for the club.
Young talent can be exciting but you don’t want to rely on it when you’re in the middle of a relegation scrap. You need tested players with plenty of experience and determination and young loan players will return to their parent club at the end of the season.
Someone like Harry Amass, with whom the club has been linked, is a great prospect but potential might not be enough for Leicester at the moment.
BIRMINGHAM CITY ARE A BIG CLUB ON THE WAY BACK
I had a short spell playing for Birmingham City. It’s a huge club with a large, passionate fanbase and big expectations from the board and investors.
They can get crowds of 30,000 in League One, which speaks for itself, but there’s plenty of competition for the promotion places. Wrexham are rapidly improving and are hunting for promotion, as are Barnsley, Huddersfield Town and Reading.
It’s a very difficult league but you would expect Birmingham to be up there at the end of the season.
They broke their record transfer fee on Jay Stansfield and he’s delivering the goods so far. He was a great investment because the club knows that if they get promoted, he has the talent to keep delivering brilliant performances in a higher division.
With the right management and a bit of luck, I’m pretty sure we’ll see Birmingham back in the top flight within the next 10 years.