Whatever anyone believes on Merseyside, north London, or anywhere else, Liverpool are the clear front-runners to become the next Premier League champions. With a six-point lead and a game in hand, having lost just once in the league all season and with 16 wins out of 22 games, Arne Slot's team are heavy favourites to claim a record-equalling 20th league title.

It would take a relentless run of Arsenal form, combined with a dramatic drop-off from Liverpool, for them not to be crowned champions come May. And the Gunners' recent results with just two wins from their last four league games will not inspire confidence that they can close Slot's side down any time soon.

But news surrounding the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening may have just offered a pause for thought on Anfield. It has been widely reported that Arsenal have submitted a bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as they look to solve their striker crisis.

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It has been debated for sometime as to why Mikel Arteta's team have not gone out of their way to get a reliable, goalscoring No 9. Many have suggested it as being the final piece of the jigsaw to transform the Gunners from title contenders to champions for the first time since 2004.

Those calls will have grown louder after Gabriel Jesus, the club's only out-and-out striker, suffered an ACL injury that will almost certainly end his season. Kai Havertz has played up front, but the German is far from convincing.

Arsenal's intent, though, sends a clear message to Liverpool. The title race is still on.

Instead of waiting until the summer, when they could save their funds to try and sign Newcastle United's Alexander Isak or Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres, the Gunners are not waiting around. They still believe there is life left in their title battle with the Reds.

Of course, their continued participation in the Champions League may also be influencing their interest in Watkins. But to go for a player based solely on a knockout competition where anything can happen would make no sense.

It remains to be seen whether Watkins will join Arsenal before Monday's deadline. Whatever happens though it is a reminder to Liverpool that there is plenty of work to do before the title parade can begin.