Michael Owen views Arsenal as the “only threat” to Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes. Liverpool are currently seven points ahead at the top of the table, having only lost once this season under new manager Arne Slot. Arsenal are in fourth place, but could move up to second with a win over Ipswich at the Emirates this evening, leaving them six points behind Liverpool, who will still have a game in hand. Owen believes Arsenal are the only team that could realistically challenge Liverpool, but he also acknowledges that Liverpool are “pulling clear” of their competitors and would be “astonished” if they didn’t secure the title.
“They’re absolutely flying, aren’t they? You can only imagine the atmosphere in that dressing room,” Owen said to Premier League Productions after Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Leicester on Boxing Day. “People will say Liverpool will focus on themselves and not look at other teams, which is the right approach, and they are playing very well. But at the same time, everyone around them is dropping points. Chelsea lost, Manchester City slipped up again, and they’re likely out of the race now. Looking at the table, I’d be amazed if Liverpool don’t win it now.
“For me, Arsenal are the only real danger to Liverpool. But that threat is only to themselves—unless they collapse, unless they have a moment like Manchester City did, they seem to be pulling away.”
Slot, however, has insisted that it’s “far too early to celebrate,” despite Liverpool’s commanding lead. “It’s a bit of a boring answer, but as a manager, you take it game by game – you know how many games you have left,” said the Dutchman. “So many teams have quality, and we are aware of the league table, but we know there are still 21 games to go. It’s way too soon to start celebrating.”
