Liverpool's 2022/23 Premier League campaign didn't get off to the best of starts last weekend.
Jurgen Klopp's side played newly-promoted Fulham in their opening match and were lucky to leave Craven Cottage with a point.
A late goal from Mohamed Salah secured a 2-2 draw for Liverpool after Aleksandar Mitrovic had put the hosts 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot.
The Serbian striker scored both of Fulham's goals on the day, with summer signing Darwin Nunez bagging Liverpool's other after coming off the bench when his team were 1-0 down.
For Klopp's side, a point is simply not good enough, especially given that Manchester City picked up three of their own thanks to a 2-0 victory away at West Ham United the following day.
Liverpool simply cannot afford slip ups of the nature seen at Fulham if they're to pip Pep Guardiola's side to the Premier League title in 2022/23.
Most people believe City are simply too strong this season, mainly due to the addition of Erling Haaland, and believe the Reds will have to settle for second once again as a result.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Juergen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool looks on prior to kick off of the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Liverpool FC at Craven Cottage on August 06, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
However, former France international William Gallas has gone a step further and thinks Liverpool could miss out on a place in the top four.
Yes, you did read that correctly.
Gallas is tipping the three London clubs he played for, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, to finish ahead of Liverpool in 2022/23.
And why has he made that prediction? Well, the former Premier League centre-back believes Luis Diaz cannot fill the void left by Sadio Mane, who joined Bayern Munich this summer and scored on his Bundesliga debut against Eintracht Frankfurt.
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, GERMANY - AUGUST 05: Sadio Mane of FC Bayern München reacts during the Bundesliga match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern München at Deutsche Bank Park on August 05, 2022 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. (Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images)
Gallas' bold prediction about Liverpool in 2022/23
“As an ex-London player, I have to say Chelsea, Arsenal or Tottenham to win the Premier League,” he told Genting Casino, per Liverpool Echo.
“On top four, Liverpool can miss out because they don't have Sadio Mane anymore and Diaz does not have the same impact.
“Liverpool always concede goals too, like we saw against Fulham. Even if I like how Liverpool play, I think it will be City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.”
Interesting...
MONACO, MONACO - OCTOBER 24: Former football player William Gallas speaks in an interview about teqball during SPORTEL Monaco 2017 at the Grimaldi Forum on October 24, 2017 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Olivier Anrigo/Getty Images)
The loss of Mane is a huge blow for Liverpool, as he was key to the club's success in the Klopp era. In 269 games for the Reds across all competitions, the Senegalese icon bagged 120 goals, an extraordinary return for a winger.
Diaz will struggle to replicate both those figures and Mane's overall on-pitch impact, although the former FC Porto man was impressive in the second half of last season - so who knows, he could well do.
Gallas also criticised Liverpool's defensive record, which seems incredibly harsh given they had the joint-best goals conceded record in the 2021/22 Premier League season (26 GA, along with Man City).
Mitrovic's brace last Saturday clearly had a significant impact on Gallas' prediction...