Rio Ferdinand changes Premier League title prediction ahead of the Manchester derby

Liverpool, the reigning champions, are the sole team to maintain a flawless start, winning all three of their opening fixtures.

Under Arne Slot’s leadership, the Reds kicked off with a win over Bournemouth, edged past Newcastle United in a thrilling 3-2 contest, and sealed a dramatic late victory against Arsenal—dealing an early setback to one of their main challengers.

Before the campaign began, Ferdinand had tipped Liverpool and Manchester City as the only realistic contenders for the crown.

While he still believes the title fight will be a two-horse race, he now sees Arsenal as Liverpool’s primary competition, replacing City in that role.

Arsenal, who have finished second in each of the last three seasons, started strong with wins over Manchester United and Leeds United, but suffered a narrow defeat at Anfield just before the international break.

Meanwhile, Manchester City have stumbled after their opening-day win over Wolves, falling to back-to-back losses against Brighton and Tottenham.

‘I think you always have to have respect for the champions, no matter who it is,’ Ferdinand told MailSport. ‘Champions normally go into the following season as the team to beat, that’s inevitable.

‘If you look at the way Liverpool have recruited in the summer, they’ve had the best window by far. Their intentions were pure and clean and transparent from the get-go, and they managed to execute everything apart from Marc Guehi.

‘If they had got Marc Guehi, I think they would have cleaned up everything, to be honest.

‘I think the only team who will be anywhere near Liverpool this season is Arsenal. They’ve got a great squad, real good depth with who they’ve bought.

‘I think they’ve had a good window and if [Viktor] Gyokeres comes good, it puts them in a better position.

‘I don’t think we’ll see anyone else. Anyone you think might be a surprise, a Newcastle or a Chelsea, I think European football hinders them a little bit in that respect. Just the demands it puts on the squad.’

Rating City’s chances of reclaiming the Premier League trophy, Ferdinand added: ‘Pep Guardiola is never associated with a team that isn’t performing consistently well and getting trophies under their belts.

‘City weren’t up for the big trophies last season. You look at it and think “is that the tide turning and can they turn it back?”

‘That’s the challenge for these players and Pep. Can they rebuild this team and mount a challenge? That’s the question that’s going to be asked of them, and if he’s up for that fight. We’ll see.

‘They’ve recruited a lot of players in the last couple of windows. Those players need time to settle in as well. Can they start delivering trophies like they did before?

‘I think it’s going to be tough because Liverpool have gone again and recruited really well. Arsenal are there or thereabouts still.

‘Chelsea are recruiting heavily. There are lot of obstacles in the way of them getting back to being so dominant.

‘I wouldn’t argue against them winning again, but I would argue against them being as dominant as before.’

Liverpool continue their quest to retain the Premier League crown on Sunday as they head to Turf Moor for an away clash against newly-promoted Burnley.

Arsenal will be in action at the Emirates Stadium, hosting Nottingham Forest in what marks the visitors’ debut under new manager Ange Postecoglou, who recently succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo.

Arguably the most compelling matchup of the weekend features a faltering Manchester United side making the short trip across town to face arch-rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.