Gary Neville has declared Liverpool as the clear favorites to win this season’s Premier League, with Arsenal poised to be their strongest challengers.
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Liverpool hold a four-point lead at the top of the table heading into Christmas, following a stunning 6-3 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continued their title chase by thrashing Crystal Palace 5-1, while second-placed Chelsea dropped points in a 0-0 draw at Everton.
Neville acknowledged Chelsea’s unexpected rise this season but believes Arsenal will ultimately pose the greatest threat to Liverpool’s title ambitions.
The Gunners, under Mikel Arteta, have come close to glory in recent years, twice falling short to Manchester City.
However, this season, Manchester City’s shocking dip in form has seen them plummet to seventh place, 12 points behind Liverpool, effectively ruling them out of contention.
“Right now, Liverpool are the best team in the Premier League,” Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast after their emphatic win over Spurs. “They’re the clear favorites for the title.
“Manchester City’s drop-off has been dramatic, and no one really knows what’s gone wrong. Chelsea have done well so far, but for Liverpool, Arsenal are the team to watch. If they close the gap in March and April, it could get very interesting.”
Neville also stressed the importance of keeping key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah fit. “Van Dijk is Liverpool’s equivalent of Rodri – he holds everything together. Injuries to him or Salah could significantly derail their season,” he added.
Despite Liverpool’s commanding position, Neville warned that challenges lie ahead. “We’re still far from handing them the title. Big games are coming up, and it’s crucial they maintain this momentum,” he concluded.
Liverpool’s performance against Spurs particularly impressed manager Arne Slot. His side exploited Tottenham’s defensive vulnerabilities, scoring six goals in a commanding display.
“Until about 60, 65 minutes, I was absolutely thrilled with our performance,” Slot told Sky Sports. “We had plenty of chances and made them count. Going into halftime with a 3-1 lead felt justified, given the opportunities we created.”
Liverpool added two more goals to extend their lead to 5-1 but briefly allowed Tottenham back into the game with two late goals. “If you stop running, especially against a team as skilled as Tottenham, they will punish you,” Slot admitted.
However, a sixth goal sealed a dominant win for the league leaders. “I was relieved when that final goal went in,” Slot said. “It was a fantastic performance overall, but it shows how quickly things can shift in this league.”
As Liverpool continue their pursuit of the Premier League title, all eyes will be on their ability to maintain consistency and avoid injuries in the months ahead.
