Former Liverpool star Didi Hamann has delivered his assessment of the Premier League title race, weighing in on the chances of Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea as they aim to close the gap on current leaders Liverpool.
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Under new manager Arne Slot, Liverpool have surged to the top of the Premier League, amassing 10 wins from 12 matches and building an impressive eight-point lead at the summit. This dominant start has silenced doubts surrounding the team’s potential after Jurgen Klopp’s emotional departure.
The Contenders
Manchester City’s Stumble
Once dominant, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City now face a challenging climb after losing three consecutive league games and five matches across all competitions. While they remain above Arsenal and Chelsea in the standings, their recent form has raised questions about their bid for a historic fifth consecutive league title.
Hamann, however, isn’t ruling them out entirely. “It’s too early to write off Manchester City,” he explained in a conversation with Genting Casino. “We’ve only played 12 games—less than a third of the season. Liverpool’s rivals would love to be in their position, but City have the quality to recover.”
Arsenal’s Waning Momentum
Arsenal bounced back with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest this weekend but have struggled to replicate their form from previous seasons, securing only two points from their prior four matches. Despite finishing second in consecutive campaigns, Hamann doesn’t see Mikel Arteta’s side as genuine title contenders this year.
“They played out of their skin in the last two seasons and still couldn’t get it done,” Hamann stated. “I don’t see them doing it this season either. They’ve had opportunities before and haven’t capitalized.”
Chelsea’s Resurgence
Hamann also highlighted Chelsea as an emerging force. The Blues have defied preseason expectations, losing only twice in 12 matches and positioning themselves as potential top-four contenders or even dark horses for the title.
Liverpool’s Commanding Position
For Hamann, Liverpool are clearly in the driving seat, benefiting from efficient performances and a knack for grinding out wins. “Liverpool look very good and very efficient. Winning games without being brilliant is always the mark of a great team,” he noted.
Despite their healthy eight-point cushion, Hamann emphasized the difficulty of sustaining such form: “You can’t defend a league table like you defend a game. Liverpool probably need another 55 or 60 points, and their rivals will need to string together consistent wins to close the gap.”
Final Prediction
While acknowledging the unpredictability of the Premier League, Hamann stands firm in his belief that the title race will ultimately come down to Liverpool and Manchester City. “City are still the most likely team to catch Liverpool,” he concluded.
With over two-thirds of the season still to play, Liverpool’s rivals face a steep uphill battle, but as Hamann suggests, their resurgence is not beyond the realm of possibility.
