Ranking the Clubs Best Placed to Challenge Liverpool Next Season

Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne will be the key man for City again next season. | Visionhaus/Getty Images

In the most unsurprising event of 2020, Liverpool claimed the Premier League title after Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea on Thursday evening.

While it may hurt many rival fans to say it, the Reds have thoroughly deserved their first league title since 1990 in what has been a real one-horse race this season.

Yet, before we get ahead of ourselves with talk of a Liverpool dynasty or an era of dominance, let’s not forgot that there are a number of other clubs all chomping at the bit to reclaim the title.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at who is in best shape to overthrow Jurgen Klopp’s side next season…

Brendan RodgersBrendan Rodgers
Leicester City are yet to win since their return to competitive action | Pool/Getty Images

2020 aside, it’s been a very good season for the Foxes as they find themselves third in the table.

They may have suffered a bit of a dip in form since the turn of the year – with Chelsea closing in on them fast – but Brendan Rodgers has vindicated his decision to leave Celtic Park.

A league title may seem a bit far away yet, but they still have the remnants of their last title triumph, while they’ve also added real quality in the form of James Maddison and Youri Tielemans. If they can hold onto their star names – and bring in a new right-winger – they may well be a force again next season.

Jose MourinhoJose Mourinho
José Mourinho has endured a tough start to life at Tottenham | Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images

While the jury is still out on whether or not José Mourinho is the right man to lead Tottenham to a league title, there is no denying that Spurs do have the quality to be contenders again.

With the likes of Harry Kane and Heung-min Son fit and firing, Mourinho’s men should be able to dismantle most sides in the division. If the former Manchester United manager can sort out a new pair of full-backs in the coming window, as well as a new holding midfielder, they may be a threat.

Raul JimenezRaul Jimenez
Raul Jiménez has hit 24 goals in all competitions this season | Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Wolves have shown that last season’s impressive showing was no flash in the pan, as they continue their surge towards a possible Champions League spot.

The work done by Nuno Espirito Santo has been exceptional, with the midlands club arguably one of the most exciting, yet organised, sides in the league.

Again, a title on paper would appear unlikely, but if they can keep the man pictured above and Adama Traoré around for a little while longer, they may be a new force in English football.

Frank LampardFrank Lampard
Frank Lampard masterminded an impressive 2-1 victory over Manchester City in midweek | Julian Finney/Getty Images

For a side unable to make any signings last summer, it’s been a positive season for Frank Lampard and co.

The Blues’ young squad has coped admirably this season and will no doubt be boosted by the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech. With further reinforcements set to be made, it could well be a very exciting 2020/21 season at Stamford Bridge.

However, the side is still crying out for a dominant central defender, and at this very moment in time, it appears that signing one isn’t the priority it should be.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Nemanja MaticOle Gunnar Solskjaer, Nemanja Matic
Manchester United claimed a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United | Michael Steele/Getty Images

After a few seasons of disappointment, things are finally looking up at Old Trafford.

The arrival of Bruno Fernandes alone has boosted their title prospects for next season, while his growing partnership with Paul Pogba in midfield is one to get excited about.

They have been extremely far off the leaders this season, but a new centre-back and a right-winger could be all that’s needed to make Manchester United a proper title contender once more.

Pep GuardiolaPep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola has seen his side unable to claim a third successive league title | Pool/Getty Images

It’s been a tough old week for Pep Guardiola. Not only have Manchester City seen their league crown be taken by Liverpool, but they also lost the game that gave them the Reds the title.

What that defeat to Chelsea laid bare was the club’s desperate need for defensive reinforcements as they strive to regain their title.

But for all the negativity, this City side has a copious amount of talent in the offensive third. If Guardiola can just find a partner for Aymeric Laporte at the back, it could be all smiles once more.

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