Jamie Carragher reveals uneasy Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool role as pundit explains greatest challenge facing Arsenal, Man City
Jamie Carragher feels Liverpool have been reduced to the role of ‘spoilers’ but may still have a big say in the Premier League title race.
The Reds have endured an underwhelming season by their recent high standards. Having already lost eight Premier League games, they currently sit sixth in the table. A top-four finish seems unlikely, although the seven-point gap to fourth-place Tottenham will be closed with victories in their two games in hand.
Nevertheless, all at Anfield will be disappointed that they were unable to challenge for the title.
And, with the Merseysiders out of all cup competitions, there will be no silverware at the club this term.
Arsenal sit top of the tree, with Man City eight points behind but with a game in hand. It is a two-way tussle for league honours, with Liverpool watching from the sidelines.
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But Carragher feels Liverpool still remain a sizeable obstacle for any club to overcome.
And he believes Jurgen Klopp will be eager to get one over on his rival when Liverpool travel to the Etihad on Saturday.
“For all Liverpool’s difficulties this season, aside from when City and Arsenal play each other, they are the greatest challenge remaining in the league,” he wrote in The Telegraph.
“It was City who ended Liverpool’s quadruple bid a year ago. Jurgen Klopp will be desperate to put a dent in Guardiola’s treble bid this time.”
Liverpool form key to title race
Arsenal hold all the aces in the battle to be crowned champions at the end of May.
However, there are many pundits who feel City have the talent to overhaul the Gunners in the remaining games.
Only time will tell if the experience of having achieved so much success aids their progress.
Arsenal face Liverpool on April 9 at Anfield. There are many big games for both clubs to overcome before the trophy is handed out.
But Carragher believes that the clashes with the north-west giants will be pivotal to both clubs.
“This will not be how Klopp wanted or planned it, but the logic over the next two weeks is not dissimilar as in previous years for those wanting to celebrate in May,” he added.
“Whichever side beats Liverpool will feel like they are a step closer to winning the league. If City succeed and Arsenal do not, the treble talk will get louder.”
Liverpool had won four out of five league games prior to a 1-0 loss to Bournemouth last time out. That followed a 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United.
Klopp will doubtless be looking at a late-season rally to secure Champions League football.
And it just might be that their results in the next nine days are crucial to all three giants of the English game.
