Newcastle United shocked everyone this season by qualifying for the Champions League, and will now become the hunted.
No one expected Newcastle to finish in the top four at the start of the campaign. Everyone anticipated it would be a combination of Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal.
However, the Magpies performed above expectation, while some of the Premier League’s big hitters failed to live up to the hype.
Both Chelsea and Spurs failed to qualify for Europe completely, while Liverpool have had to settle for the Europa League. They pushed Newcastle closest, but were unable to force their way into the top four.
Jurgen Klopp’s side will hope to do much better next season, and are already making moves to ensure they improve on what was a really disappointing campaign.
Liverpool move to sign Alexis Mac Allister
Liverpool will look to the transfer market this summer in a bid to close the gap to Newcastle, and appear to be on the verge of their first new signing.
It is obvious that they need midfield reinforcements, and are reportedly on the brink of landing Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton. According to Fabrizio Romano, he is going to join the Reds for just £35million.
That is a remarkably cheap deal for a player so good. This is a man who won the World Cup just last year. He is also someone who was linked with a move to Newcastle, but it is Liverpool who have won the race for his signature.
They were absolutely devastated to miss out on Champions League football, and will be doing all they can to take Newcastle’s place next season. This £35million deal is just the start.
On top of that, the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham will come back stronger too.
Newcastle have gone from the hunters to the hunted. It is going to be incredibly difficult for Howe’s side to stay where they are, such is the quality of the Premier League.
The teams below us are going to get better – it is up to the Toon recruitment team to ensure we get better too.
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