Liverpool and Arsenal did the unthinkable in the Premier League title race on Sunday.
A lot is made of playing first when you are battling at the top for English football’s major honour and it proved to be the case for Liverpool and Arsenal’s frustration and disappointment.
Manchester City thrashed Luton Town on Saturday by putting five past the relegation-threatened team, with Jeremy Doku sending a message to the Reds.
But Jurgen Klopp then watched his team suffer a shock 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace and then witnessed, hours later, Arsenal shoot themselves in the foot by losing to Aston Villa.
The ball is now in Manchester City’s court when it comes to winning the Premier League title, and given that they are the Treble winners, it’s the last thing you want to do.
That was highlighted by Paul Merson when he was criticising Mikel Arteta’s side for their weekend result, as he told Soccer Special on Sky Sports (16/04/24 at 7:15 pm).
The former double-winner also touched upon Klopp’s interview after the game and how he ‘loved’ the Liverpool manager’s honesty.
It’s pretty obvious what the problems are at Anfield and the German was pretty blunt, why should his team win the title if they put up performances such as the one in the first half against Crystal Palace?
This isn’t a one-off from the title-chasers, but something fans have seen for weeks and weeks now, even with star man Mohamed Salah in the team.
All in all, it has probably meant that Manchester City are now going to win an unprecedented four titles in a row.
Liverpool and Arsenal in the Premier League title race
“You just can’t with six games to go have it in Manchester City’s hand,” said Merson. “They have been so consistent Arsenal, then all of a sudden, they go and do that.
“I loved Klopp’s interview the other day, He summed it up and he knew (if they perform like they did in the first half then why should they win the title). He didn’t go ‘brush ourselves down’. He knew.”
Liverpool and Arsenal in Europe
You would probably think these two teams would look towards Europe for some respite, but they probably aren’t going to get it.
As crazy as it sounds, both need some confidence in Europe to take into the Premier League title to ensure Man City don’t run away with it.
Yes, everyone knows that Pep Guardiola’s side just finish things off from here, but pressure gets to everybody.
If Liverpool and Arsenal can ensure the weekend was their final defeat of the season, then they could probably help each other in making Man City do out-of-character things and ensuring the title race isn’t over.
