Alan Shearer's 'perfect' warning shows truth of Premier League title gap Liverpool has built
Alan Shearer believes Liverpool has such a lead at the top of the Premier League table that Arsenal will have to be near-perfect to catch up. After drawing 3-3 with Newcastle, Arne Slot's side now has a seven-point advantage.
"Other than the Nottingham Forest game at Anfield, Liverpool have been pretty flawless in everything they've done," he told Betfair. "Even against Newcastle, you have to admire how they came back into the game. They'll be really peeved that they conceded in the last minute but a draw was a really fair result. I don't think either team deserved to win it.
"Liverpool are red-hot favorites to win the title at this moment in time and rightly so, but I think Arsenal will have a lot to say about it. It'll be tough for Arsenal and they'll have to be pretty much perfect but if they can keep Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka fit, then I do think they'll have a lot to say in the title race.
"Arsenal have to go to the next step, that’s what they’ve signed the players in the summer for, and everything about them tells me that they're in the title race. But Liverpool have been superb in what they've done."
Liverpool has Everton this weekend before Arsenal travels to Fulham on Sunday. Manchester City is away at Crystal Palace on Saturday with Chelsea — currently level with Arsenal on points — away at Spurs.
"I guess they've surprised everyone with the run that they've been on because I and a lot of people thought that Slot going in and replacing Jurgen Klopp was always going to be difficult," Shearer continued. "They tried to sign Martin Zubimendi which didn't work out and their midfield has been one of their strong points.
"Liverpool are really strong and they'll be there right until the very end of the season, I've no doubt about it. But there's no way the title race is over, there's still going to be twists and turns.
"Manchester City got back to winning ways, Chelsea have made an unbelievable start to the season with Enzo Maresca. Chelsea are second in the table right now but I don't think they'll be able to stay there.
"I don't see them as title contenders. Having said that, they're in a bloody good position. I do think it'll be between Liverpool and Arsenal after what we've seen this season."
Liverpool.com says: Shearer is right that Arsenal will need to be near perfect. Liverpool will drop points but so too will the Gunners. The gap is substantial enough that Slot's side is the overwhelming favorite, and a strong performance and a win at Everton would further underline that.
