Michael Owen Declares Liverpool Still Best Team in Premier League Despite Sixth-Place Standing

Even with their current league position raising eyebrows, former striker Michael Owen insists that Liverpool FC remain the strongest side in the Premier League when playing at their best.

Speaking on the The Wayne Rooney Show, Owen argued that the Reds still possess a level of quality other teams struggle to match, despite their struggles this season.

Liverpool currently sit sixth in the standings and trail league leaders Arsenal FC by a significant margin.

For Owen, however, league position does not tell the whole story.

He believes that if every team in the league performed at their absolute peak, Liverpool would still come out on top.

A Huge Drop After Last Season’s Dominance

The contrast with last season is hard to ignore.

Under manager Arne Slot, Liverpool stormed to the 2024–25 Premier League title with authority, dominating opponents with aggressive pressing, creative attacking play, and depth across the squad.

This campaign, however, has been far more complicated.

The Reds are not just outside the title race—they’re nearly 20 points behind Arsenal’s pace under manager Mikel Arteta.

For a team that recently ruled the league, the drop-off has been surprising.

Owen admits it has been frustrating for fans and former players alike to watch such a talented squad struggle for rhythm.

Big Signings Yet Little Consistency

Another reason for the puzzling season is the talent Liverpool added to their roster.

Players like Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz were brought in to strengthen a squad that had just won the league.

On paper, the team looked even stronger than the title-winning side.

Yet results have not matched expectations.

Liverpool have shown flashes of brilliance, but consistency has been missing.

At times they look like the unstoppable side that dominated the previous season.

On other days, they struggle to control games.

Owen believes this inconsistency—not a lack of ability—is the main reason for their current position.

Owen Questions Whether Arsenal Match Last Season’s Liverpool

While Owen believes Arsenal are likely to lift the title this season, he argues that the Gunners still do not reach the level Liverpool achieved a year ago.

According to him, last season’s Liverpool side had a higher ceiling in terms of overall football quality. The difference now, he suggests, is that Arsenal have simply been more reliable week after week.

That reliability is exactly what Liverpool have been missing this season.

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Debate Over Modern Premier League Football

The discussion has also sparked a broader debate about how the Premier League is evolving.

Slot recently criticized the growing focus on set-pieces, saying the modern game sometimes sacrifices entertainment for efficiency.

He compared today’s football with the famous team led by Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona in the early 2010s—a side known for free-flowing, beautiful football that fans loved to watch every week.

Slot suggested the Premier League’s tactical battles and emphasis on dead-ball situations have changed the spectacle.

Arteta Defends Arsenal’s Style

Meanwhile, Arteta has strongly pushed back against criticism of his team’s approach.

The Arsenal manager argues that modern football—especially in the Premier League—demands constant tactical adjustments. Teams now study every phase of play in detail, from throw-ins to transitions.

According to Arteta, the highly organized, man-to-man defensive systems used across the league make it far harder to play the kind of open football fans often romanticize.

In short, the game has evolved—and teams must evolve with it.

Impact and Consequences

Owen’s comments have added fuel to an already intense debate about Liverpool’s season and Arsenal’s rise.

Key implications include:

• Pressure on Liverpool: Fans expect a quick return to title contention after last season’s success.

• Scrutiny on Slot: The manager faces questions about why a stronger squad is performing worse.

• Debate over playing style: Arsenal’s success has revived discussions about set-pieces versus open-play football.

• League competitiveness: The Premier League remains unpredictable, with teams quickly rising and falling.

For Liverpool, the biggest challenge may simply be rediscovering the form that made them champions.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, Liverpool will aim to stabilize their season and secure a strong finish in the league.

Possible priorities include:

• Improving consistency across matches

• Integrating new signings more effectively

• Regaining the attacking fluidity that defined last season

Owen believes the club’s current struggles may only be temporary.

If the team clicks again, Liverpool could quickly return to the top of English football—perhaps as soon as next season.

Summary

Despite Liverpool’s disappointing league position, Michael Owen remains convinced the Reds are still the Premier League’s strongest team when performing at their best.

The club’s drop from champions to mid-table challengers has sparked debate about tactics, consistency, and the evolving nature of football in England’s top division.

While Arsenal appear set to claim the title, questions remain about whether they truly match the quality Liverpool displayed last season.

For Liverpool supporters, hope remains that the current struggles are just a temporary setback.

Bulleted Takeaways

• Michael Owen says Liverpool FC are still the best team in the Premier League at their peak.

• Liverpool currently sit sixth and trail Arsenal FC by 19 points.

• New signings like Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz have yet to deliver consistent results.

• Manager Arne Slot has criticized the growing focus on set-pieces in modern football.

• Mikel Arteta argues tactical evolution has changed how football is played in the Premier League.

• Debate continues over whether Arsenal’s current dominance matches Liverpool’s title-winning level from last season.f