Dean Saunders: Premier League title defence the priority for Liverpool
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has told NewBettingOffers.co.uk that he believes defending the Premier League title will be the Reds’ number one target for next season.
The ex-Reds striker discussed the upcoming 2025/26 season and which competitions Arne Slot’s side will prioritise. He suggested Liverpool will start the season by focusing on going as far as possible in every competition but named the Premier League as their main goal.
Speaking to NewBettingOffers.co.uk, Saunders said: “Liverpool will start the season trying to win every competition they’re involved in, including the FA Cup and League Cup. That said, the number one objective will still be to defend their Premier League crown. Then it’s the Champions League, FA Cup and then the League Cup. At least that is how I see it – I don’t know if the club shares that view.
“I would think the number one priority is the Premier League, because that is a marathon competition. It is not a knockout where you can get a bit of luck on a given day and go through, it’s about consistency.”
Liverpool can’t afford to get complacent next season
Saunders emphasised the need for Liverpool to maintain concentration and motivation next season. Describing every game against Liverpool as like a cup final for their opponents, he warned his former side against complacency when facing teams lower down in the league who will be desperate to take their scalp.
“Every game Liverpool play in the Premier League is like a cup final for their opponent,” said Saunders. “If Liverpool are not fully motivated and concentrated week-in, week-out, then they could slip up. If you have any chinks in your armour, like not being able to get yourself motivated for a game, then other teams will take advantage.
“Take Sunderland for example. If you’re playing them away from home, the way you lose is if you turn up with the wrong attitude. Liverpool have got better players and nine times out of 10 they should beat Sunderland, but upsets do happen.
“Those teams will be playing above themselves because they’re playing the Premier League champions, so you can’t take anything for granted. As the defending champions they will be up against it every week, because it will be treated like a cup final by their opponents.”
Too many Man Utd players have the wrong attitude
Saunders also discussed Liverpool’s arch-rivals Manchester United. The former Premier League striker suggested that United have an attitude problem within their squad, urging them to follow the route that Mikel Arteta took at Arsenal in getting rid of those players who he thought had the wrong approach.
“There are players in that Manchester United squad who don’t have the right attitude to play for a club of their stature,” he said. “Some of them have got all the talent, but the wrong attitude. It is as if some of them feel they are doing the club a favour by playing for them, but that can never be the case at a club as big as Manchester United.
“The reality with some of these players is that they’re not as good as they maybe think they are and they don’t work hard enough. All the talk nowadays may be about tactics – low blocks, high blocks, possession stats and expected goals. But what about working harder than the other team?
“Individually, you have to work harder than you opposite number and win your battles. Before talent comes hard work. Are you fitter than your opponent? Are you more determined than them? That is what you need to have as a professional footballer at a big club. Even if you don’t play well, make sure your opponent doesn’t have a good game and make things hard for them.
“You have to perform every week and I just feel that some of those United players have let the club down. I’m not on my own in thinking that – it’s obvious! You can’t finish 15th in the Premier League and have the second-highest wage bill – that is inexcusable. They pay the biggest wages and can have whatever players they want but have managed to end up with a number of players who have the wrong attitude.
“Arsenal managed to turn it around. Mikel Arteta has them back on track after getting rid of the players who he felt had the wrong attitude. That is what United need to do.”
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