Ex-Premier League star and manager Teddy Sheringham joined in on the conversation regarding the Premier League title race this season, saying that Arsenal is fortunate that Liverpool, not Manchester City, sits atop the Premier League table.
Due to the Reds playing under new manager Arne Slot, Sheringham thinks the club has yet to prove they can maintain their position throughout the season, while Manchester City has demonstrated the ability to dominate once in the lead. The legend, whose three-decade career includes 146 Premier League goals and high-profile stints at Tottenham and Manchester United, has built a reputation for making bold statements upon retirement.
The Hall of Famer dissected this year’s title race, narrowing the contenders to three in Liverpool, Manchester City, and Arsenal. Sheringham dismissed the idea of any other club breaking into the race, citing inconsistency among the chasing pack. His comments about Liverpool focused on the challenges of maintaining consistency under a new manager.
“I think Chelsea have been impressive, but I don’t think they’ll be as consistent as the top three that are in there. Liverpool are looking fantastic at the moment, but I think they’ll have their little troughs. Manchester City, they’re going to come good again at some stage,” he said.
“Arsenal are the other ones in the title hunt as well, and they will want to close the gap quickly so that they’re not out of the race as well. I think the good point from Arsenal is that it’s Liverpool out in front and not Man City because Man City are the ones that know how to close things and Liverpool are still under a new manager,” he continued.
Liverpool’s form under Slot has punched their place to the top of the lead, holding a narrow two-point lead over Man City. With a well-rounded approach that balances offensive firepower and defensive discipline, the Reds have emerged as early contenders for the title. The Reds are tied with Manchester City for the fourth-most goals in the league [21], trailing only Tottenham [23] and Brentford [22]. Defensively, Liverpool has set the standard this year by leading the league with six clean sheets.
Their ability to disrupt opponents has been exceptional, as the Reds have dispossessed their rivals 112 times this season. Still, Sheringham is skeptical that the club can deliver under a new manager.
“As brilliant as they’ve been this season, I have my doubts about them going the distance,” he continued. “I don’t think anyone could say with certainty that they will win the league because you’re not sure what you’re going to get from them over the entire season with it being Arne Slot’s first campaign at the club.”
