Gary Neville admits he could look 'utterly stupid' with Arsenal prediction after Liverpool win

It was a dream weekend for Liverpool, as its two main title rivals faltered while the Reds secured a hard-won 2-1 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield.

The win propelled Liverpool to a two-point lead at the top of the table after previous leaders Manchester City saw its 32-match unbeaten league streak snapped with a surprise 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth. While no one is writing off Pep Guardiola's side's chances of claiming a fifth consecutive title just yet, serious doubts have emerged about Arsenal's prospects, even at this stage of the season.

Following their own loss to giant-killers Bournemouth and a 2-2 draw at home to new table-toppers, the Gunners' winless league run extended to three matches with a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle United on Saturday.

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This latest setback leaves Mikel Arteta's team in fifth place, trailing behind a revitalized Nottingham Forest and an improving Chelsea, and five points adrift of second-placed City and seven behind Liverpool. However, Gary Neville remains convinced that his pre-season title tip, Arsenal, is still in contention.

"Look, I don't sit here right now thinking Arsenal are out of the league title," the Manchester United legend said on his Sky Sports podcast, following his former club's 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"It might be naive and I might be sat here in three months saying I was completely wrong, but this might be what this team needs to actually go on a massive run and go and win a league title. Because they will be looking at Liverpool and they will be looking at City and thinking, 'not quite perfect' — they are not what they were three or four years ago.

"This is a big chance. 'What are we doing? Wake up. Give ourselves a little slap around the face'. Because they are making mistakes and there is an element of them feeling a little bit sorry for themselves because they have injuries. This is where you become a hero, an Arsenal legend, no-one interested is if you've got a few injuries. Those players will come back. Don't wait for them."

The Gunners, City and Liverpool are all set for Champions League action midweek before they play one final Premier League match before the final international break of the year.

Manchester City is off to Brighton for the 5.30pm kick-off on Saturday (12.30pm ET), followed by the Reds hosting Aston Villa at 8pm (3pm ET). The weekend's final fixture sees Arsenal heading across London to Chelsea for the 4.30pm Sunday (11.30am ET) kick-off.

Neville, who had predicted Liverpool to finish outside of the top four at the start of the season, added: "It's been a great weekend for Liverpool and they've had a really good start. But there's a lot still to play for and I think Arsenal are very much in it as well.

"I still have Arsenal winning the title — and this might be what they need to win the title. I might look completely and utterly stupid in three or months and people will play this clip back and ask what I was talking about. But City aren't quite what they were and Liverpool aren't perfect."

"Sometimes you need a blip — and it's a serious blip, it's been a poor start for them — but they could go on a run, could get players back post the international break, and they could be very dangerous."

"Hit your form in March, April and May — that's when you want to be flying. It's not a problem now but they've got to make sure they're in touch with City and Liverpool, which I think they will be. I think they'll get close to them over Christmas and they'll be in the title race."

Liverpool.com says: Arsenal is not out of contention but being five points behind Manchester City and seven behind top spot at this point in the season is far from ideal. Liverpool knows there is a long way to go yet, but it has unarguably started the Slot era brillintly.