Roy Keane names his surprise team to miss out on the Premier League top four this season

Roy Keane has peered into the crystal ball and spied a cataclysmic shock in the Premier League top-four race.

The Manchester United legend has ripped up the script by naming one of the title favourites to miss out on the Champions League. 

Fresh from a glorious summer of sport, Premier League fans only have to hold their excitement in for two more days. 

United get us going against Fulham on Friday night, with Liverpool and Arsenal in action on Saturday, while Manchester City travel to Chelsea on Sunday. 

Speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane revealed his belief that Liverpool will blow their chances of a top-four berth.

The Reds are beginning their first campaign under Arne Slot after Jurgen Klopp’s departure 

‘Yes I think so (Liverpool will miss out), unless they get a couple of signings in the next few weeks,’ he said.

In Liverpool’s place, Keane foresees Villa once again securing a place at Europe’s finest table, a view with which Ian Wright concurs.  

Liverpool are the only Premier League club who have failed to make a signing this transfer window, with Arne Slot preferring to first assess his squad. 

It did look as if they would land Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi for £52million, with the Spanish Euro 2024 winner having ‘given the Reds his word’ that he would join.

However, the 25-year-old decided to reject Liverpool after a persuasive presentation from Sociedad manager Imanol Alguacil, who tugged at his heartstrings with a speech about hiking up Mount Ulia, local cuisine, and the fans of his boyhood club. 

It means that Liverpool have missed out on their preferred number six target for three summers on the trot.

All the same, Jamie Carragher holds out hope for a good season.

‘I don’t think they’ll tank, no. I think Liverpool overachieved last season in terms of being in the title race for so long, I don’t think anybody really expected that. And if Liverpool had a similar sort of season, I’d be delighted,’ he told Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet. 

Missing out on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi has been a huge blow for the Reds

‘It remains to be seen, sometimes new manager, fresh voice and I know what you are thinking, David Moyes comes in after [Sir Alex] Ferguson, or Unai Emery after Arsène Wenger, there’s going to be a huge shift, there’s no doubt about that. 

‘But the pre-season has gone pretty well, beating Manchester United, beating Arsenal, good result against Sevilla. But there is a hole in midfield that needs filling massively. 

‘And even when Zubimendi was talked about coming in, I was actually still thinking: “Is he too similar to [Alexis] Mac Allister?” You can imagine them two in midfield, great footballers, but is there enough aggression, is there enough pace?’

Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher were speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.