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'It doesn't feel the same' – Jamie Carragher makes telling observation about Liverpool title bid

Jamie Carragher
-Credit:YouTube/@Stillryan


Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool are much calmer in their current Premier League title tussle against Arsenal than their past battles with Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side pipped Jurgen Klopp’s men to the crown by a single point during the 2021/22 season.

Under the guidance of Arne Slot, the Reds have scarcely put a foot wrong so far this campaign. Despite suffering a shock FA Cup giant-killing at the hands of Plymouth Argyle on Sunday, they sit six points clear atop the league table with a game in hand on the challenging Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s side sit within reach for now, but Carragher, who played over 700 times for the club, feels that the same pressure felt three years ago is not as harsh and that Slot, his players, and the fans are not yet sweating in this title race.

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“It feels really strange. It doesn’t feel the same as it did in years gone by,” Carragher admitted on It’s Called Soccer, referring to past title races against City.

“Now, I don't know if it was because Liverpool were level on points with City and it felt like every week was like… Or maybe it's the lead.

Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta are going head-to-head for the Premier League title with Liverpool and Arsenal
Carragher feels Slot's side aren't flapping with Arteta's men sticking behind them -Credit:Getty Images

“It almost feels like the title run-in or title talk hasn't really started in Liverpool. There’s not that sort of same feeling, and that would be my worry for Arsenal.”

Arteta’s men have been kept within an arm's length so far, losing just twice but drawing eight games, and Carragher reckons the belief of Arsenal - who haven’t won a league title for over 20 years - could diminish after any further slip ups.

“Because of Liverpool’s lead, if they drop points in a game before Liverpool do, they’ll lose belief they can win the league,” he continued. “If it [the lead] goes to sort of nine, 10 points, and they’re on the edge every game...

“I’ve said that before, but with Liverpool, it just seems so calm, and it wasn’t like that before, and I don't know if that's Slot, I don't know if it’s the amount of football, if it’s Arsenal rather than Manchester City - but it doesn't feel like Liverpool have got that sort of nervousness, this: ‘We have to win this game otherwise it feels like the world’s gonna end’."

Despite being 14 points behind a dominant City in mid-January 2022, an inspired run by Klopp and his Reds threw them straight into a dogfight. The leaders found themselves 2-0 down at home to Aston Villa on the final day with it looking as though a win against Wolves could have handed Liverpool the league, but a Rodri goal and an Ilkay Gundogan brace turned the game on its head at the Etihad.

According to Carragher, the situation and atmosphere around this fight, as opposed to Liverpool being in a much more heated and perhaps competitive battle with City three years ago, is near non-existent, and Arsenal will need to be almost perfect to pile up similar pressure.