Liverpool would win Premier League with Chelsea star - but Arne Slot is wrong to downplay form
Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea star Cole Palmer would turn Liverpool into even more credible challengers for the title if he plied his trade at Anfield as the Reds legend rejected notions around the Premier League leaders enjoying an easy run so far this term.
Arne Slot's men host the Londoners on Sunday afternoon in what has been viewed as the first significant home fixture of the head coach's time to date on Merseyside and the current leaders might find themselves needing to regain top spot by the time the game kicks off, with Manchester City in action earlier in the day at Wolves and Arsenal at Bournemouth on Saturday evening.
Carragher says he has been hugely impressed with England international Palmer during his time at Stamford Bridge but reckons the weekend's trip to Anfield represents the toughest task yet for Enzo Maresca in his fledgling days as Chelsea manager.
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And Reds legend Carragher also believes the talking-down of Liverpool's six wins from seven so far is unfair given the overall difficulty of the modern Premier League.
"If Palmer was at Liverpool, Arne Slot would be more likely to finish his debut season as a title winner. Palmer is that good, currently averaging more goal involvements per match than Stamford Bridge greats like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa," Carragher writes in his Telegraph column.
"An Anfield trip is one of the toughest examinations, of course, especially with Slot trying to preserve his place at the top of the Premier League.
"Whichever side wins will have their good start redefined as an excellent one. A defeat will feel like a significant setback leading to questions about how much further they must go to reach their required level. That’s the nature of the beast when the top teams face off.
"The same churlish observation has been directed at both sides that ‘they have had a kind fixture schedule’ which explains the signs of promise. Slot has driven this bandwagon himself with regards Liverpool’s first seven league games.
"He is wrong to downplay the significance of any winning run. I do not like a trend creeping into our game where fans, pundits and perhaps even senior figures at top clubs start turning their noses up at so-called ‘routine wins’."
Carragher adds: "Every Premier League victory counts and must be earned. Some wins may feel better emotionally or in terms of the confidence they bring, but there is no more value in terms of points. A top-four side can trip up against any team in the division.
"A title bid is not just about beating rivals or the perceived ‘bigger clubs’. Manchester City failed to beat Arsenal and Liverpool last season but it did not stop them becoming champions."