Liverpool is still in the driving seat to claim a 20th top-flight title, regardless of a demoralizing draw against struggling Manchester United. But despite arriving at the halfway point in a dominant position, the Reds have been warned about an issue that could derail the campaign.

While the dropped points were frustrating, Liverpool undoubtedly remains in a healthy position in the Premier League table. Chelsea and Arsenal both also drew at the weekend, so Arne Slot's side remains six points clear (and 10 ahead of the Blues) with a game in hand.

Progress has been impressive on other fronts, too. Liverpool still has a 100 per cent record in the Champions League, and it takes on Tottenham in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final tomorrow.

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So what could possibly be cause for concern? While Emmanuel Petit is still backing Liverpool for the Premier League title, he has warned that there are potential obstacles ahead, including possible dressing room trouble relating to the out-of-contract trio of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk.

"Even though Liverpool dropped two points to Manchester United, I think they'll still win the Premier League," Petit predicted, speaking to DisCasino. "It's crazy that Manchester United were able to put in this performance at Anfield.

"Liverpool have enough quality in their squad to go all the way, but their biggest problem is themselves. They have a gap to second place with a game in hand, but that is never enough to guarantee the title in the Premier League. If Liverpool can hold on to their motivation, then I have no doubt they'll be champions at the end of the season.

"The return of the Champions League could provide a bit of trickiness to Liverpool's run, and if Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold keep getting distracted by their contract talks, we could see a problem within the dressing room, possibly.

"I have no idea what Liverpool want to do with those players, if they don't receive new contracts, it could be damaging to the club's form. Chelsea, Arsenal and Nottingham Forest will keep gaining points."

Of course, Salah has shown no sign of being distracted — or at least, no sign that the distraction is having a negative impact. He is playing like a man with a point to prove, and the result is perhaps his best ever Liverpool form.

Likewise, there has been no indication of a dip in Van Dijk's levels. Alexander-Arnold, on the other hand, did face heavy scrutiny after the Manchester United match, with his mind seemingly elsewhere.

In reality, it was probably just a bad day at the office. These are all professionals, and even if they do leave, they would surely all love to sign off with a Premier League title that can be properly celebrated with the fans.

But the reality is that whenever Liverpool has a bad game, extra focus will fall on the contract situation. There's a risk that it becomes something of a circus.

Hopefully, it won't end up influencing the destination of the Premier League title. But with Slot getting closer to a dream debut season, he certainly won't welcome the intensifying chatter around three of his key players.

Liverpool.com says: There's so much focus on what the contract situation will mean for the next three to four years, but Petit is right: it could even have an impact over the next six months. It would be terrible if it became such a distraction that it derailed a season that currently promises so much.

As it stands, Liverpool is on course for 92 points, with Arsenal and Nottingham Forest only on track for 76. It has earned a dominant position for itself, and there is some margin for error.

But there is still a lot of football to be played, and Liverpool's progress across multiple fronts will mean the games keep coming thick and fast. Nothing short of total focus will do — yet another motivation for the Reds to finally resolve the contract uncertainty.