Liverpool kicked their Premier League season off with a convincing win over Ipswich Town on Saturday.
After a long summer of goodbyes for Jurgen Klopp and firsts at Liverpool for Arne Slot, the action finally got underway for the Reds at Portman Road.
It was initially a difficult afternoon for Liverpool, but after a key half-time team-talk from their head coach, they turned it on in the second period to win 2-0.
There were plenty of reasons to be optimistic after the game, not least Ryan Gravenberch doing well in the problematic number six role.
However, not everybody is convinced, with Manchester United legend Gary Neville going out of his way to make a bold prediction about Liverpool.
Gary Neville explains Liverpool prediction
Although he’s one of the most prominent pundits in the country – and has been for some years now – it isn’t always worth listening to Neville talk about Liverpool.
The former right-back had genuine hatred for the Reds during his playing days and has sometimes found it difficult to hide his impartiality as a commentator.
Nevertheless, it’s hard to argue that Neville does not know what he’s talking about when it comes to Premier League football.
As ever, the 49-year-old has been giving his prediction for the new season for Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football alongside Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher.
Despite Liverpool’s opening day win and the impressive manner of their pre-season, Neville has the Reds down to finish fifth this term.
Asked to justify that by Carragher, who picks his old club to come third, Neville says he feels that Klopp’s exit will eventually ‘take its toll’ on Liverpool.
“My view would be that the impact of Klopp will take its toll, just going off evidence of history,” he says. That’s it.
“Evidence of history with a manager like that leaving, I think there will be some pain this season for Liverpool and it could cost them.”
Who does Neville have ahead of Liverpool?
Looking at the Premier League the way it is right now, it is difficult to say that there are four better sides than Liverpool.
The Reds’ squad may be without any new signings so far this summer, but there is still a huge amount of quality at Arne Slot’s disposal.
They comfortably finished third last season and not much has changed, well, aside from losing Klopp of course.
For Neville, though, he thinks that Arsenal, Man City, Man United and Chelsea will all finish ahead of Liverpool this season.
We’re only one game in, but on the evidence so far, that would look a big call from Neville. Pin it up in the dressing room, Arne.