Jamie Carragher names the two favourites to win the Premier League next season | Football

Jamie Carragher named the two favourites to win the Premier League title next season after defending champions Liverpool were beaten by Manchester United.

Liverpool’s dismal season suffered another blow on Sunday as Arne Slot’s side lost 3-2 to arch-rivals United at Old Trafford.

The Reds battled back from 2-0 down to level the match through Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo before Kobbie Mainoo scored a 77th-minute winner for Manchester United.

United’s victory confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League and all-but secured them third-place in the Premier League with a six-point lead over fourth-placed Liverpool with three games remaining.

Speaking after the game, Old Trafford legend Gary Neville suggested Manchester United were not far away from challenging for the Premier League title and said it was ‘up for grabs over the next one or two years’.

But Carragher dismissed United’s title credentials and also ruled Liverpool out of winning the Premier League next season, claiming there will be another title race between current contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.

Asked if Liverpool or Manchester United are in a better position to win the Premier League next year, Carragher said on The Gary Neville podcast: ‘I still think Liverpool are better-placed and the reason I say that is we’ve seen Man United’s best team out there today.

‘Liverpool are three of four short there. They also have the players who have won before in terms of the biggest trophies.

‘I don’t think either of them will be there in terms of the title next season. I still think it will be Arsenal or Manchester City.

‘There’s a false economy with Manchester United when they haven’t played any European football and they went out in the first round of both cup competitions.

‘Now that can fool you. Man United will finish third this season but I don’t think for a minute believe they’re the third-best team in the Premier League.

‘I still think Liverpool are in a better position in terms of the squad when the injured players get back and having those players that have won trophies before.’

Addressing the same talking point, Neville said: ‘There’s a couple of real unknowns. The managers and which club is going to recruit the best this summer.

‘Both are going to sign three or four. But how much money do the clubs have to spend money on recruitment?

‘I do think the league could be up for grabs over the next couple of years and I think Manchester United could be in a position to exploit that.

‘At some point, Pep [Guardiola] has to leave. And I don’t think the other big clubs aren’t quite right. There is a league title up to grabs over the next one to two years.’

Manchester United return to Premier League action next weekend against Sunderland, while Liverpool face Chelsea at Anfield.

Title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City can barely be separated going into the final few weeks of the Premier League season.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners beat Fulham 3-0 on Saturday to move six points clear but Man City now have two games in hand, the first against Everton on Monday night.

Arsenal are bidding to win their first Premier League since 2004, while Manchester City have won six titles in the last eight years.

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