Over the weekend, Arsenal lost further ground, trailing Liverpool by six points, having played an extra game. ..Continue Reading
Lineker remarked that it is difficult to see anyone but Liverpool clinching the Premier League title after they extended their lead at the top.
Arne Slot’s team seemed poised to drop points for the third consecutive game as they struggled against a determined Brentford side on Saturday afternoon.
A slip-up would have provided a significant boost to Liverpool’s title rivals, Arsenal, who were set to host Aston Villa later in the day.
However, the often-criticized Darwin Nunez came off the bench to net two injury-time goals, securing a crucial victory for Liverpool against a resilient Brentford team with an excellent home record.
Liverpool’s day improved further as Arsenal squandered a two-goal lead at home, resulting in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and falling further behind the league leaders.
The Reds now hold a six-point advantage at the top of the table and still have a game in hand against their Merseyside rivals, Everton.
Assessing the title race on The Rest is Football podcast, Premier League legend Alan Shearer said: ‘Is that it then, lads? Do you think it’s Liverpool’s now? Was this the weekend?’
Fellow ex-England player Lineker responded: ‘I think it’s hard to envisage Liverpool letting this slip.
‘We know things can happen, things can change. But they’ve got a big, very strong squad, with replacements in every position.
‘They’ve got a belief, a momentum and a coach who really knows what he’s doing. It’s hard to see really because who is going to come from behind and win almost every game which you would probably have to do now?
‘I’d be incredibly surprised if they don’t go all the way now. Arsenal have got a few key players out and Man City are too far behind even if Liverpool were to slip up a bit.
‘It’s early to say the title race is done – of course it’s not – but it’s Liverpool’s to lose.’
After Arsenal’s draw with Aston Villa, Mikel Arteta said he was ‘proud’ of his team but conceded they were not good enough defensively.
‘Pride [at] the way the boys played and competed, the third time in six days,’ Arteta said. ‘To deliver that dominance, that performance, they were outstanding.
‘We deserved much more, that’s clear. The way we defended, especially the second goal, can’t be part of our game.
‘Overall the word is pride because they were exceptional. The way they tried [was impressive].
‘There were players that were dead and performed like this for 97 minutes. They don’t look for excuses or to the bench looking what to do.
‘It was the best game we’ve played against Villa since I’ve been here. They’re a good side. In attack and defending, the level we’re playing is so high.
‘Something was missing. Today we cannot concede the two goals we did after everything we did. That line is so thin. Credit to them as well.’
