EPL 2016-17: Claudio Ranieri tips Liverpool to win the Premier League this season
Ahead of their clash with Liverpool this Saturday, Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has made a bold statement saying that the Merseyside club is one of his favourites to win the Premier League this season.
Leicester City made history last season as they won the biggest domestic tournament in England, the English Premier League. With the club having secured Champions League football for the first time, they are all set to begin their European campaign with a game away against Club Brugge next week.
With a lot more games in their calendar this season thanks to the Champions League, EFL Cup and FA Cup, the chances of Leicester challenging for a second straight title is difficult. Ahead of their game against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday, Ranieri speaking to the reporters said,
“Liverpool are one of my favourites to win the league. They are ready to fight for the title,”
“Liverpool are a very good team and on Saturday we have a very good match.
“We go there to try and win. We are the champions. It’ll be difficult for us but also for them.”
Whether Ranieri’s thoughts on Liverpool’s title challenge is an honest observation or just mind games is unclear but there is no doubt about the fact that Jurgen Klopp’s team definitely has the potential and depth in the squad to achieve Premier League glory.
With the international break being kind to them and most of their players avoiding injuries, Liverpool will definitely fancy their chances against the defending champions.
Sluggish start to the league campaign
Both Liverpool and Leicester City have had an up and down sort of start to the season with surprise defeats to Burnley and Hull City respectively. With a win and a draw each, both teams share the same amount of points on the league table.
Klopp and Ranieri will be hoping to see some good performances from their summer signings this weekend. The Liverpool manager will expect Sadio Mane to provide his side with an attacking edge while Claudio Ranieri will expect fireworks from deadline day signing Islam Slimani.
The clash will be a special occasion for the Liverpool fans as this will be the first game to be played at the newly renovated Anfield stadium. With the main stand’s capacity been increased, there will be an extra 8,500 supporters cheering the Reds on.