Assessing the Threats to Liverpool’s Four Status

Arsenal

The other side to finish the top four last season, Arsenal were first in the Premier League for more days than any other side during 2013-14 and still ended up scrapping for fourth with Everton. However, the FA Cup win and the emergence of the true Aaron Ramsey made it a very promising and ultimately successful season for Arsene Wenger.

Initially, he did not rest on his laurels, bringing in the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Calum Chambers, David Ospina and Mathieu Debuchy for approximately £65 million. Yet despite this mega spending, Wenger has still not addressed the need for a powerful defensive midfielder, while Chambers is the only back up for Per Mertesacker, Laurent Koscielny and Debuchy, leaving the Gunners very light in defence.

Danny Welbeck arrived on deadline day from Manchester United as the deafening cries for another striker finally compelled action from Wenger, but with the squad unbalanced, the title looks unlikely.

Their start to the season has not been great either – scrapping for draws against Everton and Leicester City, getting through to the Champions League group stages by the skin of their teeth against Besiktas and scoring a last minute winner to edge managerless Crystal Palace at home.

Conversely, their Community Shield victory was impressive, albeit Manchester City were far from top gear, and Wenger is the perennial top four finisher so they will remain big favourites to claim a Champions League place.

They are the greatest threat to Liverpool but are likely to finish alongside the Reds in the top four, with the other contenders looking to break back into the coveted quartet.