Daily Star Sunday

Pep can pip Real to Champions League and Klopp can Kop the title says Souey

- By BRENDAN KEANE

GRAEME SOUNESS is tipping Manchester City and Liverpool to capture the prizes they each crave the most this season.

He believes the Premier League title is finally on its way to Anfield and the Champions League will land in Manchester.

Europe has been the one black spot on City’s CV since the club was bought by their Abu Dhabi owners

10 years ago.

In fact, it has been a graveyard for English hopes in general – with the trophy returning to Premier League clubs just four times in the last 34 years.

But Souness thinks City will end that stat in Spain.

He said: “I would choose City as this season’s winners right now because they are so strong. They have been knocking on the door for a while and the fact remains that Real Madrid have lost Cristiano Ronaldo – the man who scored 18 goals from 15 starts in European football last year.

“Real were not the best side in the competitio­n last year – but they won it. And a big reason was that when they needed goals Ronaldo got them.

“We saw in their game last week, against Atletico Madrid in the Super Cup, that they were playing the same football as last year until they got to the last third. Then they were reminded of the fact there is no Ronaldo anymore – no finisher.

“So that’s going to be a factor, as is the fact that Barcelona are dependent on one man: Lionel Messi.

“So what happens if Messi is injured? Change is possible and I think City are strong enough to do it – and I think Liverpool can get close to the prize too.”

In fact Souness (right) thinks Liverpool can end their

28-year wait and finally claim the Premier League title.

He said: “If Mo Salah gets 40 goals again, they have a chance.

“The early signs are good. They’ve got in Alisson Becker, that will improve them by three, four, five per cent.

“Let’s face it, you aren’t going to win any trophies without a top goalkeeper. If he is good, it gives them a real chance, because they have so much firepower going forward.”

Souey added: “Scoring goals is not a problem for Liverpool. Sometimes you’ll not play well and you’ll have to nick games – like they did against Crystal Palace on Monday.

“You’re relying on a good goalkeeper to make saves. It doesn’t matter if you’ve got 95 per cent possession, the keeper will be asked to make one save, maybe two.

“I think in recent years that’s been a problem for Liverpool – but may not be with Alisson.

“Then you have Virgil van Dijk, who is a superb player. I’m surprised he ended up at Liverpool because when the transfer from Southampto­n didn’t happen initially, I thought that would alert the likes of Barcelona. He’s as good as anyone out there.

“In fact, if you look at the Reds’ back five, they could be together for a decade. Joe Gomez, Van Dijk, Trent AlexanderA­rnold, Andy Robertson and the keeper. Liverpool will feel they’re ready to challenge. “They won’t say it publicly but they are ready.”

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 ??  ?? ■VAN THE MAN: Virgil van Dijk can help the Reds to the crown
■VAN THE MAN: Virgil van Dijk can help the Reds to the crown
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