Will the Premier League title be swapping Leicester for Liverpool?
Premier League Outright 2016/17
Any reason to be Kloptimistic, Liverpool fans? A second half collapse in Basel meant that Sevilla picked up a 3-1 victory to make it three Europa League victories on the spin. Daniel Sturridge had fired the Reds into a first half lead, but goals from Kevin Gameiro and a brace from Coke meant that Jurgen Klopp will have to wait for his first trophy with the Merseyside club.
Having said that, the German gaffer has been at Anfield for less than a season, but has already won the hearts of Liverpool fans thanks to his gleaming white teeth, incredible enthusiasm and ability to get important results. European victories over Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal, as well as two Premier League batterings of Manchester City (3-0 and 4-1) and a 4-0 derby day thumping of Everton has made Klopp a firm fan favourite with the Kop.
But is he the man to finally guide Liverpool to that elusive Premier League title, or is it just another case of wishful thinking from the fans who have become renowned for the belief that ‘next year is our year’? A quick look at the odds would raise a few eyebrows, with bottlers Tottenham Hotspur, and a Manchester United side in disarray still considered more likely title winners next year than Klopp’s men. We turned to the trading room floor in Power Tower to get the view of the men behind the odds.
‘Liverpool are currently trading at to finally land the coveted Premier League title in 2016-2017. We actually opened up at 12/1 but Klopp’s exploits in the Europa League and later part of the domestic season have seen them shorten quite quickly. As things stand though, we are more than happy to take them on at the prices.’
‘There are question marks over a lot of their competitors due to new managers and expected squad upheavals. At the top of the market both Manchester City () and Chelsea () are seeing a change of regime, but we don’t think that’s enough to go any shorter on the Reds.’
‘We feel Tottenham should be a shorter price than Liverpool given this season’s exploits and with Daniel Levy expected to back Mauricio Pochettino this summer they should go very close to the title again. That means they’re and in our book more likely to win the league than Liverpool next year.’
‘Surprisingly maybe, Manchester United are also shorter in the betting and tentatively priced at . However this price could get even shorter. If the possible arrivals of ‘The Special One’ Jose Mourinho and a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic ( to sign with Man United next) happen, then the current 13/2 quote to bring the title back to Old Trafford would absolutely plummet.’