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Liverpool’s dominance in the Premier League this season has left little doubt about their title credentials. Arne Slot’s side has surged 11 points clear at the top, taking full advantage of Arsenal’s recent slip-up against West Ham and Manchester City’s inconsistent form.

Despite Arsenal’s strong start, injuries have derailed their campaign, while defending champions Manchester City have experienced a shocking drop-off. Their struggles under Pep Guardiola have raised questions about whether they can mount a serious challenge next season.

Liverpool’s commanding lead means they are now heavy favorites to reclaim the Premier League trophy. However, Jamie Carragher believes the biggest challenge for Slot’s men next season will not come from Arsenal or Chelsea but from a familiar foe—Manchester City.

Carragher Doubts Arsenal’s Long-Term Growth

Speaking on The Overlap with Sky Bet, Carragher shared his concerns about Arsenal’s ability to sustain their challenge. While Mikel Arteta’s team has improved each year, Carragher fears they may have already peaked.

“I was thinking about Arsenal, and I actually think they’ve been a little bit unlucky,” Carragher said. “Sometimes, it’s about timing. If the Arsenal of last season played this season, they would have taken Liverpool to the wire.”

Carragher compared Arsenal’s current trajectory to past Liverpool sides under Gérard Houllier and Rafael Benítez, who showed signs of title potential but ultimately failed to make the final step. He warned that Arsenal could face a similar fate under Arteta.

“We got to a point where we just didn’t make that final step, and then we dropped off massively,” he continued. “Are you a little bit worried that we’ve actually seen peak Arsenal and Arteta? I think we have.”

Despite acknowledging Arsenal’s strength last season, Carragher remains skeptical about their long-term ability to challenge consistently at the highest level.

Why Manchester City Remain Liverpool’s Biggest Threat

Despite being 20 points behind Liverpool this season and suffering an early Champions League exit, Carragher still believes Manchester City will be the team to watch next season.

“If Liverpool win the league, the question always is: who is going to challenge the champions next season? I still think I would back Manchester City more than Arsenal right now,” he stated.

Manchester City’s struggles have largely been attributed to injuries and a lack of squad depth. However, their track record under Guardiola suggests they will regroup and return stronger. Carragher expects them to be Liverpool’s primary competition next season, given their ability to bounce back from setbacks.

While Chelsea and Arsenal remain in contention, neither has shown the consistency required to mount a sustained title challenge. With City’s history of dominance, Carragher is confident they will be Liverpool’s main rival once again.

Slot’s Surprise at Liverpool’s Title Charge

Arne Slot, who replaced Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool’s head coach, has admitted he did not expect his side to be in such a dominant position this season.

Speaking after Liverpool’s victory over Manchester City, Slot reflected on the journey so far. “No one saw us as a title contender when we started the season,” he said. “And I think no one in the world of football would have expected City to not be so close to the top.”

While acknowledging City’s struggles with injuries and poor form, Slot remains wary of their quality. “You could see how good they are as a team and how difficult they are to play against,” he added.

As Liverpool edge closer to another Premier League triumph, the focus now shifts to next season. With Arsenal’s long-term progress in question and Manchester City poised to bounce back, Carragher’s prediction of another City vs. Liverpool showdown may not be far off the mark.