As we head into the enterprise finish of the season, the Premier League title race is actually heating up. Liverpool at present sit six factors clear on the high of the desk, with a recreation in hand on second-placed Arsenal.
Golf equipment like Manchester Metropolis, Chelsea and even Nottingham Forest have been tipped as contenders all through the season, however have seemingly fallen out of the race.
Former Liverpool defender Markus Babbel spoke solely to EPL Index and gave his title race predictions…
Liverpool: Consistency the Key?
“Liverpool are probably the most constant group in the meanwhile,” started Babbel, “Additionally they have the proper mixture of each skilled and younger expertise at their disposal.”
“They’ve lots of gamers within the prime of their careers,” continued Babbel, “Jurgen Klopp gave Arne Slot a massively proficient group and he has solely needed to make minor changes.”
“I don’t see a group that possess the identical high quality and squad as Liverpool.”
That mix of youth and expertise is evident to see amongst Liverpool’s squad. Whether or not it’s the veterans like Mohamed Salah, Virgil Van Dijk and Alisson Becker or the youthful brilliance of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szboszlai or Cody Gakpo – they discover a approach.
Arne Slot’s facet now head into a vital run of fixtures that might outline their total season. To begin with they face Everton within the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park, earlier than going through Wolves, Aston Villa, Manchester Metropolis and Newcastle United. All 5 of these video games fall inside simply 15 days.
Who Might Problem Liverpool?
“Arsenal have been nice within the 5-1 win over Manchester Metropolis,” identified Babbel, “However you simply don’t know what they are going to do within the subsequent recreation.”
That lack of consistency has been a serious distinction between the Gunners and their title rivals, with Mikel Arteta’s facet dropping factors in 10 of their 24 Premier League video games to this point this season. In distinction, Liverpool have achieved that on simply six events to this point this season.
Though with a lighter schedule, Arsenal additionally face a handful of essential video games within the upcoming weeks. The Gunners have two beneficial fixtures in opposition to Leicester Metropolis and West Ham earlier than two tough away journeys to Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, earlier than internet hosting Chelsea the next week.
One other large issue is that Arteta’s facet nonetheless must journey to Anfield to face Liverpool firstly of Could, which may simply grow to be a title-decider.
Liverpool actually stay the favourites to elevate the Premier League title on the finish of the season, however Arsenal are actually nonetheless within the race and will probably be eyeing an enormous upset.