As Liverpool gears up to face Southampton in the Premier League, it has its sights set on extending its lead at the top of the table to a whopping eight points. This opportunity comes courtesy of Manchester City’s recent stumble in what is shaping up to be an unpredictable title race.
Arne Slot might not have anticipated his Liverpool side seizing control of the Premier League so swiftly following his appointment. However, if the Reds maintain their current form, they could soon find the title is theirs to lose.
Saturday saw Tottenham Hotspur hand Manchester City their fifth consecutive defeat across all competitions, overpowering the reigning champion on its home ground. A victory for Liverpool today would see its five-point lead stretch to eight. Despite Arsenal’s win over Nottingham Forest earlier on Saturday, the gap to Mikel Arteta’s side could widen back to nine points.
Tottenham’s triumph in Manchester was largely down to James Maddison. The midfielder, who was back in the starting line-up after two games on the bench, scored twice in the first half to pave the way for Spurs’ victory.
Adding to the celebrations, it happened to be Maddison’s 28th birthday, making it a particularly memorable day for him. Liverpool’s own Trent Alexander-Arnold later took to Instagram to wish his England colleague a happy birthday.
While the injured full-back didn’t explicitly comment on how Saturday’s result might boost Liverpool in the title race, he’s no doubt hoping his teammates seize the opportunity against Southampton. As well as a birthday message, posted after Maddison’s heroics at the Etihad Stadium, Alexander-Arnold posted a picture of his England teammate saluting.
Gary Neville, weighing in, has hinted that Liverpool could seriously threaten Manchester City’s reign as England’s champion. In a period where no team has broken City’s four-season dominance, the ex-Manchester United skipper signals concern that not even Guardiola’s prowess can rescue City from their slump in form and morale.
Commentating for Sky Sports, Neville observed: “I’m sure Liverpool’s players, coaches, fans will be watching this – and Arsenal’s to an extent — thinking ‘we have a real, real chance here’. In the past they [Man City] were always up against it, this just feels very, very different.”
Should Liverpool triumph over Southampton and then defeat Manchester City at Anfield the following weekend, it would find itself with an 11-point lead. First, though, Slot’s men must do the business against the Saints.
Liverpool.com says: While Maddison and Spurs have done Liverpool a big favor, the Reds have to do their part of the bargain now. Beat Southampton, and it will be hard for anyone to play down the massive opportunity that is ahead of Slot’s team. The league title race is opening up for Liverpool to really take charge and put down a massive marker.
