‘No question’ – John Arne Riise makes bold Liverpool and Man Utd prediction

John Arne Riise says there is ‘no question’ that struggling Liverpool will finish above Manchester United in the Premier League this season.

Arne Slot’s side were widely tipped to retain the Premier League trophy before the season started after winning the title by ten points back in May.

Liverpool’s title-winning squad was strengthened with over £400m of signing over the summer, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez arriving at Anfield.

But the big spending has not had the desired effect, with Liverpool’s title defence already hanging by a thread following a shocking start to the season.

Slot’s side have won less than half of their league games to slip to 10th in the Premier League, ten points behind leaders Arsenal.

Liverpool are at least unbeaten in their last four games, having clinched a 1-0 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

The Reds are four places below Manchester United in the Premier League table but Riise says there is ‘no question’ that Liverpool will be higher come the end of the season.

United continue to struggle for consistency under Ruben Amorim but already look vastly improved from the team that finished just 15th last season.

Monday’s emphatic 4-1 win over bottom-placed Wolves saw United move to within just one point of the Champions League places.

‘I’m quite sure Liverpool will finish higher than Manchester United,’ Riise, who made over 300 Premier League appearances, told FootItalia.

‘Even though I have to say I do want United up there again, because we need Manchester United up there fighting for Champions League spots and stuff.

‘I really want Ruben Amorim to do well as well because I think he’s had a hard time since he came to the club and he still is quite stubborn.

‘But yeah, Liverpool is going to finish above Man United, no question about that.’

Asked whether, as a former Liverpool player, he ‘enjoys’ watching Manchester United struggle, Riise added: ‘When I was playing for Liverpool, I wanted United to lose all their games, and we beat them all the time.

‘Looking from the outside now, as a fan, I still want Liverpool to beat them every time they play them, and I have so many friends who support United.

‘When they win, they all send me messages, but I never send them when Liverpool wins. But overall, I want United to do well because the league is better when they’re a strong team, and when they challenge.

‘I want them to push Liverpool, but never be better than them, if that makes sense.

‘I don’t want them to win things, I don’t want them to be an awesome side, but I want them to be up there, near the top. Football needs Manchester United to be up there.’

Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday against Brighton, while United play host to Bournemouth on Monday night.

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