Gary Lineker regrets his eight-word Liverpool remark - 'You idiot'

Gary Lineker was left embarrassed by his Liverpool prediction from the start of the Premier League season – leading fellow pundit Micah Richards to brand him an “idiot”.

Liverpool have been an unstoppable force this season under Arne Slot, who took over the reins from legendary Reds manager Jurgen Klopp in the summer when the German departed. Few predicted that Liverpool would enjoy such a seamless transition under Slot, with the Dutchman taking the team to a whole new level this term.

The Anfield side are currently six points clear atop the Premier League table with a game in hand and are favourites to win their first league title since 2020. They also lead the Champions League table, having gone unbeaten in Europe, and are in the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, meaning even a quadruple is not out of the question.

Their surprising form, with a league-best 45 goals scored domestically, has left many doubters regretting their start-of-season predictions, including Lineker. The Match of the Day presenter was red-faced as he brought up the subject of who will win the league this season on the latest The Rest Is Football podcast.

Lineker said this week: “Liverpool – I think one of the great surprises of the season. None of us, I don’t think anyone in football, predicted how they’d fly quite as high as they have."

Revealing his woeful eight-word prediction, he added: “We all said top four, I said 'it’s impossible for them to win the league’.”

That triggered a roar of laughter from co-host Richards, who said: “You idiot!” Lineker continued: “But I don’t mind owning it, it’s okay,” as Richards once again said: “Wow, ‘impossible!’”

Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images) Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Lineker jokingly added: “I can’t remember saying it. I think someone’s put this in the notes just to wind me up. Surely I didn't say that. I think I said it’s an impossible act to follow Jurgen Klopp… Either way it’s a hopeless failure from me.

“I’m pleased to be wrong because I thought it would be incredibly difficult [to carry on like this under a new manager]. But boy oh boy, what a job Slot’s done.”

Newcastle legend and pundit Alan Shearer then chimed in with: “They have been absolutely outstanding. I don’t think anyone could have predicted Liverpool would be where they are now. The vast majority of games have been so impressive and they look really strong all over the pitch.”

Lineker then brought up whether they could win a quadruple of trophies, before the trio all agreed that Liverpool will at least win the Premier League title. Slot’s men face Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup third round next weekend, but before that in the Carabao Cup, they go to Tottenham in the semi-final first leg on Wednesday off the back of Sunday's Premier League showdown with arch-rivals Manchester United at Anfield.

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