Steven Gerrard makes title prediction and Liverpool claim ahead of Arsenal vs Man Utd | Football
Steven Gerrard admits reigning champions Liverpool are out of the title race and ‘expects’ current leaders Arsenal to be crowned Premier League champions.
The Gunners, who last won the Premier League in 2004, are seven points clear at the top of the table ahead of Sunday’s clash with Manchester United.
Arsenal’s title hopes have been boosted by Manchester City’s recent decline, with Pep Guardiola’s side drawing three games in a row before a deflating derby defeat to United.
Mikel Arteta’s side were second, or even third, favorites to win the Premier League before the start of the season, behind reigning champions Liverpool and Man City.
Liverpool won the title by 10 points last season before bolstering Arne Slot’s squad with more than £400million in summer signings.
The sensational spending has now had the desired effect, with Liverpool winning less than half of their league matches to slip 14 points behind title favorites Arsenal.
Liverpool have steadied the ship in recent weeks, going 13 games unbeaten in all competitions, but that run includes four successive draws in the Premier League.
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While Gerrard acknowledges Liverpool are already out of the title race, he says his former club still have “a lot to play for”, including the Champions League.
A 3-0 win over Marseille on Wednesday night leaves the Reds fourth in the Champions League ahead of their final group game against Qarabag next week.
As Liverpool attempt to salvage a disappointing season in Europe, Arsenal are fighting on both fronts, top of the Premier League and Champions League table.
Gerrard says it is difficult to predict what will happen in the title race, but ‘expects’ Arsenal to end their 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy.
“Arne Slot constantly needs it now,” Gerrard said on TNT Sports after Liverpool’s impressive victory over Marseille in Ligue 1.
“We know they have the quality and experience to produce performances like this, which is why it is so frustrating for Liverpool fans.
“It’s because of the level that this team has set. We haven’t seen such form from them in a very long time and that’s why it’s so frustrating and surprising.
“You have to respect them because they are changing the situation and becoming more difficult to beat. Okay, I think we know that in the league they are out of the title race at the moment.
“Who knows what will happen, but you expect Arsenal to go on and win. But there is still an awful lot to play for for this Liverpool team.
“The FA Cup is huge, finishing in the top four is huge but more importantly they are still in the Champions League.
“If they can keep this group in good shape, this team has proven they can go the distance in this competition, so there is still a lot to play for.”
Arsenal beat Inter Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday night and will resume their quest for the Premier League title on Sunday against Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim was sacked by Old Trafford bosses earlier in the month, but United travel to the Emirates Stadium after an impressive derby win over Man City.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will look to bolster their top four prospects when they travel to the south coast to face Bournemouth.
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