Jamie Redknapp has named his two favourites to win the Premier League title.
Liverpool began their title defence with a 4-2 win over Bournemouth at an emotional Anfield on Friday night.
Arne Slot’s side, who won the league by ten points last season, looked set to drop points after Bournemouth came back from 2-0 down to level the match.
But Liverpool scored two late goals to kick-start their 2025-26 campaign with three points.
The Premier League’s most successful team in recent years, Manchester City, also began the season strongly, Pep Guardiola’s side thrashing Wolves 4-0.
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Man City endured a disappointing 2024-25 season, finishing third, but will be buoyed by their opening-day win at Wolves.
The runners-up in each of the last three Premier League seasons, Arsenal, get their season underway on Sunday against Manchester United.
Meanwhile Chelsea, who have been described as dark horses to win the title, begin the season with a London derby against Crystal Palace.
Redknapp views Liverpool and Arsenal as the two favourites to win the title ahead of Manchester City and ultimately believes the defending champions are still the ‘team to beat’.
‘If Liverpool get Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi, it’s not far off one of the best teams in Premier League history,’ the former England midfielder told Hayters.
‘I still think Liverpool are going to be the team to beat. I think they’re the team to beat with or without Isak.
‘Arsenal have got a chance, the summer signings give them a real chance. I think [Martin] Zubimendi will be as important as [Viktor] Gyokeres because he’s that link in midfield.
‘He’s such a brilliant young footballer. Arsenal will go really close, they’re a good side, they just need a bit of luck and things to go their way.
‘It’s going to be a titanic battle I think between those two [Liverpool and Arsenal].
‘Man City obviously have Rodri coming back, that’s great for them. But I still think they’re going to be short, they’re going to miss Kevin De Bruyne.
‘I fancy Liverpool and that’s not because I played for them. I think they’re still the team to beat.
‘It’s going to be a tough season in terms of what happened with Diogo Jota, that was just heartbreaking for everybody and we don’t quite know how that’s going to play out because he was loved by everyone.
‘I’d like to see Liverpool do it again but Arsenal will run them close.’
Man City have gone somewhat under the radar in the build-up to the new Premier League campaign but laid down a marker by dismantling Wolves.
Reijnders inspires Man City opening win
Erling Haaland scored twice but City summer signing Tijjani Reijnders stole the show with a goal and an assist on his Premier League debut.
‘First half was good, second half was not as good as we thought but it is normal in this part of the season,’ Guardiola said.
‘It is just the first game my friends. Last game at Stamford Bridge we won 2-0 and were top of the league in September and October but then look what happened.
‘So it is just the first game and it is good to start but there are many things still we have to improve.’
Manchester City’s Player of the Match, ex-AC Milan midfielder Reijnders, added to BBC’s Match of the Day: ‘It’s a great start.
‘Very happy with an assist and a goal and a very good win. It is a great start and we have to keep going now.’
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