Chelsea, Liverpool given reality check as Frank Lampard makes PL prediction fans won’t want to hear

Frank Lampard does not feel it is a given that Chelsea and Liverpool will automatically return to their best and challenge for honours next season.

Both clubs have underachieved in 2022-2023. Chelsea find themselves down in 12th spot in the table ahead of Thursday’s penultimate game against Manchester United. That trip to Old Trafford is followed by the visit of high-flying Newcastle United on Sunday.

And even victory in both those encounters would see the west Londoners finish just one place higher.

Liverpool currently sit fifth and have just an outside chance of qualifying for the Champions League.

They need to beat Southampton at St Mary’s and hope that the Red Devils lose both their remaining matches.

A late-season rally has seen the Reds move to the brink of the top four, but it cannot mask what has been a below-par campaign.

Chelsea have invested heavily in new players since the arrival of Todd Boehly. Fans cannot accuse the owner of not backing the manager – whoever it has been.

Both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter have been dismissed this term, with Lampard seeing the side through to the end of the campaign.

The former Stamford Bridge chief was a surprise choice as caretaker and his presence has done little to alter results.

It seems as though Mauricio Pochettino will be the next man into the hotseat.

The Argentinian will have a talented group of players at his disposal but one that lacks direction.

READ MORE: Chelsea fears grow as fan favourite considers mega money deal to scupper Pochettino plans

He will need to jettison a number of stars while signing a top-class striker remains a priority for the club.

It is the midfield area that Jurgen Klopp needs to bolster if his side is to challenge Manchester City’s dominance in 2023-2024.

Lampard has doubts over giants’ revival

Cit’s unbelievable run of results has seen them overtake Arsenal to win a third consecutive title.

The Gunners ran them close for 30 games but faltered when it mattered most.

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There are now a few new kids on the block after Newcastle’s resurgence under Eddie Howe.

The Magpies, backed by money from Saudi Arabia, have already secured a top-four berth to return to the Champions League.

And there are other clubs who no longer appear scared to take on those who have traditionally dominated the English game.

Lampard feels it is this fact that means Liverpool and Chelsea are not assured to return to the top of the sport next season.

“I don’t know that because the Premier League moves on very fast,” he told reporters, via football.london.

“You see the emergence of Newcastle, Brighton, Aston Villa. If you switch it off, it’s not easy to switch it back on. I think that will be the test.”

A few pundits have tipped Liverpool to be City’s main challengers next term.

That may well be the case if Klopp can fashion another midfield to rival the one that claimed the 2019-2020 title.

But Chelsea seem a long way from challenging for what would be their first title since the 2016-17 season.

Lampard has seen up close and personal the work that needs to be done to get back to winning ways.

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