BBC pundits never learn as predictions backfire and Liverpool prove them wrong

Not many tipped Liverpool to be in a title race during the current season.

The Reds endured a campaign to forget last year, missing out on the Champions League despite a late rally and failing to claim a piece of silverware. Jurgen Klopp then faced a rebuilding job this summer after seeing a number of key figures depart, particularly in the midfield department.

In came Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo in a bid to breathe new life into this part of the pitch. A deal for Jude Bellingham, a player viewed as the ideal midfield signing, proved too problematic and Real Madrid subsequently pounced.

When delivering their predictions as to how the Reds would fare in 2023/24, the 27 BBC pundits who shared their thoughts did not hold out much hope of a successful campaign ahead for Klopp and co. Indeed, only former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given had Liverpool higher than third place, the 47-year-old selecting second place as his guess.

A total of 21 individuals believed the Reds would make the top four, with just one individual backing them to finish as runners-up (Given). There were ten votes for third and ten votes for fourth. Manchester City were unsurprisingly the pundits’ overwhelming favourites to clinch the title – only Ellen White (Arsenal) went against Pep Guardiola’s side to prevail as champions.

Based on a system of receiving four points for being backed to finish first, three points for second place, two points for third and one point for coming fourth, Liverpool racked up a total score of 33 points among the 26 pundits. Manchester United, meanwhile, earned a tally of 36 points and were therefore predicted to finish third based on their average score. The two sides are already separated by ten points in the Premier League table, which could be further extended on Sunday afternoon when the sides meet at Anfield.

Chris Waddle and Ellen White were two of the five pundits to have left Liverpool out of their top four and were not confident a strong campaign was on the horizon. The former commented: “They look a bit thin on experience in the middle of the park. The way they play, they will score loads of goals but concede a lot too – I can see them being the Premier League’s top scorers, but they probably have the worst defence of the top five.” White, meanwhile, remarked: “I’m not convinced by Liverpool. It felt like everyone has figured them out.”

Given, who had the Reds in second and was most confident of the team’s chances of challenging, said: “Liverpool are going to make a serious comeback this season. They have freshened it up in midfield of course, but I just think they will be stronger everywhere and hungry to get back to competing at the top of the table.”

There is still of course a long way to go in the race for top spot, though Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League after 16 matches played. The Reds boast a one-point advantage over Arsenal and are four points clear of the title favourites, Manchester City.

A match of significance importance in this battle will take place on December 23, when Klopp’s side host Arsenal at Anfield, providing Liverpool with the opportunity to send out a real statement to the rest of the division.