"They are a top team" – Jamie Carragher names 'surprise' team that could challenge Liverpool for Premier League title next year

Liverpool great Jamie Carragher has stated Newcastle United could pop up as a surprise Premier League title contender in the 2025-26 season.

During a recent interaction with Metro, Carragher was asked to share his thoughts on next season's potential Premier League title challengers. He replied:

"I think it will be them two [Manchester City and Arsenal] who come back to challenge Liverpool. City will go again in the market and Arsenal will do will do the same. But from that chasing pack, Newcastle could spring a surprise. If they keep their best players and just add one or two squad players, they are a top team."

Heaping praise on the quality of Newcastle's squad, Carragher added:

"We saw that against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final and they can take any of those teams. They've got great support at home as well and in certain positions – especially centre forward and central midfield – they have players who are as good as anybody in the Premier League."

Newcastle, who beat the Merseyside team 2-1 in the EFL Cup final earlier in March, are third in the 2024-25 Premier League table now. They are on 62 points, one point ahead of Manchester City, from 34 league matches with a +21 goal difference.

Eddie Howe's side will next visit Brighton & Hove Albion this Sunday (May 4). They will wrap up the ongoing term after locking horns with Chelsea, Arsenal, and Everton later this month.

Liverpool urged to bolster squad after title win

Speaking to Metro, Jamie Carragher insisted Reds head coach Arne Slot will bring in his own players to reinforce his squad this summer. He said:

"I think now he'll look to bring his own players in. The club have had 12 months to assess everything transfer-wise and the manager has also had time to see who he rates and doesn't rate and I would expect five or six players to leave and five or six to come in and then Liverpool will be a lot stronger."

Liverpool, who secured their 20th top-flight title last Sunday, could opt to break the bank this summer after signing only Federico Chiesa last year. They have reportedly been linked with Alexander Isak, Milos Kerkez, Dean Huijsen, and Angelo Stiller of late.

Arne Slot's team will next take on Chelsea, who are fifth in the table now, in their Premier League contest at Stamford Bridge on Sunday (May 4).