Interview conducted July 2026. Brad Friedel spoke to DragonBet.
Nobody has played more Premier League games in a row than Brad Friedel. Three hundred and ten of them, back to back, from August 2004 to September 2012, across Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, a run that finally ended at 41 when Spurs picked Hugo Lloris instead. Add his Liverpool years and a long USA international career, and there are few better placed to read a Premier League season before it starts.
He sat down with DragonBet to talk about America’s World Cup summer, Liverpool’s new era and who he’d back for the title.
On the USA’s World Cup exit
The hosts went out to Belgium, and Friedel saw a tactical problem and an emotional one.
“When they came up against a team with really quick wingers, that became an issue. Belgium are a top team and on the day they isolated the likes of Pulisic, which made it difficult for the US. Full credit to Belgium manager Garcia for also playing Onana, which gave Belgium strength in the midfield.”
Then there was the build-up, and the red card that changed the temperature around the tie.
“I felt sorry for Balogun as he had accepted a red card, although I didn’t think it was one, but what transpired after that woke up a sleeping giant in Belgium. The US had built up a big fan base during the tournament and most people, up to 48 hours before our game against Belgium, wanted the USA to win. But after what happened with FIFA and outside interference, it was like the football fans now wanted Belgium to win, and it affected the US players in a negative way and Belgium in a positive way.”
What the World Cup does for American football
Friedel’s read on the tournament’s legacy is a commercial one, and he thinks the next 18 months matter more than the summer itself.
“The output of this World Cup can be really positive for US Soccer as it can develop more finances into the player development side of things. Can this increase viewership in MLS in the next 18 months, so multiple TV companies are either bidding for the rights, or one TV company sees the growth of MLS like the NFL and NBA, which are massive? That is the hope, that what transpired this summer can see further growth for US Soccer, so more young kids in the US will look to start playing the game.”
He had a busy tournament himself: co-commentary on 8 games for the world feed, more broadcasting work on top, and 12 matches watched live across Toronto, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New Jersey.
“My highlight was that the world got to see the true Americans. We welcomed everybody in, everybody had a blast, the stadiums had a great attendance. I was in Boston for a while and the Norwegian, Iraqi, Moroccan and Scottish fans were great. It was a good mix and a party atmosphere. Toronto was a brilliant atmosphere and a great location, as I was able to see Germany v Ivory Coast and really enjoyed that experience.”
Liverpool under Iraola
A new manager, a new style, and a fanbase that had grown restless watching the football under Arne Slot. Friedel, a former Anfield goalkeeper, is optimistic but wants to see how the squad handles adversity.
“As a fan, I hope Liverpool fight for the title. It’s what Liverpool should be doing every season. They will have to replace some goals, of course, and then ship fewer. That’s just logical.”
“This is a massive football club, and when you change systems and personnel and theories and methodologies, sometimes you will have a result or two that doesn’t go your way. I’m not worried about when they are winning games, but I am curious to see what happens if they lose two on the bounce and how they respond to it. I am fully expecting a very front-footed, energetic team and I think the fans will be right behind Iraola at the beginning, especially in the pressing and transition.”
Aston Villa and the Morgan Rogers sale
Villa cashed in this summer. Friedel, who spent 3 seasons at Villa Park, sees the logic and backs Unai Emery to reinvest well.
“For Aston Villa, it’s a case of working under the regulatory constraints and PSR, and choosing the right time to cash in on a player. It’s important for clubs like Villa to balance the books when operating close to the levels they do. When you have a manager like Emery, who is so talented to keep Aston Villa in and around the Champions League spots, he will know the type of player to bring in to add value to the squad to replace Rogers. With Emery’s track record of working with players, Garnacho will be one player Emery will work closely with to ensure he can play at his best, and I would once again expect Aston Villa to be challenging at the top end of the table.”
His title pick for 2026-27
With so much change at the top of the league, Friedel goes for the side that has changed least.
“At this moment, because the other top clubs have had so much change, I would probably say Arsenal. Chelsea could be great, they really could. Liverpool could be great, we just don’t really know. So I would have to say at this stage Arsenal are my title pick. We will have to see what happens at Man City under Maresca, as they’ve just signed Elliott Anderson as well, who is a great player. So a slight edge towards Arsenal, but it is early to do a prediction.”
Premier League odds
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Brad Friedel was speaking to DragonBet in July 2026. Quotes lightly edited for clarity.
