The English Premier League, EPL, title race for the 2024/25 season took another dimension following the conclusion of the match-day 26 fixtures at the weekend.
DAILY POST reports that Liverpool opened an 11-point gap in the Premier League table on Sunday.
This follows their 2-0 win against Premier League champions, Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Two first-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai gave Arne Slot’s side all three points against Pep Guardiola’s men.
The Reds now have 64 points from 27 games with 11 matches remaining for them to conclude the season.
Liverpool’s closest rival in the Premier League title race is Arsenal.
The Gunners currently sit in second position, with 53 points from 26 games.
The Premier League North London club has 12 matches remaining to conclude the season.
Behind Arsenal are Nottingham Forest (3rd position) and Manchester City (4th position), completing the Premier League top four.
Just like Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Manchester City have all played 26 games each.
They have 12 matches remaining for them to conclude the season.
Nottingham Forest has 47 points from 26 games, while Man City has 44 points from the same number of games played.
DAILY POST reports that among the top four teams in the Premier League standings, only Liverpool won their game at the weekend.
The likes of Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Man City failed to win their fixtures.
As mentioned earlier, Liverpool won 2-0 against Man City. As for Arsenal, they lost 1-0 against West Ham United at Emirates Stadium.
Nottingham Forest were defeated 4-3 against Newcastle United.
The Premier League match-day 27 will take place this mid-week (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday).
Liverpool will host Newcastle United at Anfield, Arsenal will clash with Nottingham Forest at City Ground, Manchester City will tackle Tottenham Hotspur in an away tie.
But ahead of the mid-week matches, some stakeholders in the game gave their views on the Premier League title race.
Manchester United legend, Gary Neville tipped Liverpool to win the Premier League title.
He also backed Arsenal, Man City, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa to complete the top five.
Similarly, Watford legend, Troy Deeney tipped Liverpool to win the Premier League title this season ahead of Arsenal, Manchester City, and Nottingham Forest.
Deeney noted that “all stars have aligned” for Arne Slot’s side to claim the English top-flight league this season.
On his part, former Manchester City defender, Micah Richards pinpointed Arsenal’s major mistake in their Premier League title race with Liverpool this season.
Richards said: “Arsenal will probably be kicking themselves that they didn’t bring anyone in, in January, of course you don’t know you’re going to get injuries.
“But I just think this Liverpool team can adapt. Everything about this [Liverpool] team is just sensational. It’s finding a way to win.”
Also, the legendary Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, gave the Gunners a 20 percent chance of winning the Premier League title.
Wenger stated this after Liverpool defeated Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad on Sunday.
Speaking with DAILY POST, Saheed Afolabi, who works at Clear TV, gave his view on the Premier League title race with less than 12 matches to complete the season.
“I think Liverpool are not under pressure to win the Premier League title this season,” Afolabi told DAILY POST.
“Even as they sit on top of the Premier League table, people are still not looking at them as title contenders.
“I remember when Chelsea was third or fourth and people thought Chelsea were title contenders.
“The pressure was lifted off Liverpool and the pressure was on Arsenal and Man City. But Liverpool’s new manager, Arne Slot, has been able to do something with Liverpool historically this season.
“For me, I think I will be the first person to congratulate Liverpool for winning the English Premier League title because as of now they have 11 games to play and I don’t see any team ready to put them off from the radar at the top of the table.
“In their last match, they defeated Manchester City at the Etihad. I think that’s a big statement.
“I don’t see any team to actually out-stage them at the top of the table. They have been at their best this season. They have played with no pressure and they have been able to get fantastic and good results so far.
“So for me, I just want to congratulate Liverpool. Liverpool has 64 points from 27 matches with 11 matches remaining for them to complete the season, while their closest rivals Arsenal have 53 points, which is an 11-point difference despite the fact that Arsenal has a game in hand.
“So it’s just over for them [Arsenal]. I don’t see any pressure from Arsenal that will make Liverpool lose momentum.
“Because let’s say for example, if Liverpool lose three matches in a row, that is when Arsenal or Nottingham Forest have the chance.
“But if Liverpool now loses like three matches and have a draw, what about other title contenders Arsenal, Forest and Man City? Are they sure they won’t lose any further matches?” He questioned.
Afolabi added, “You look at Arsenal they got beaten by West Ham at home. So there is nothing that is not possible when it comes to the Premier League title race.
“But for me, I think Liverpool have just clutched this one under their wrap and it is decisive and delivered for them this 2024/25 Premier League title.
“I don’t see any other team out staging them at the top of the table,” he said.
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