Graeme Souness declares Liverpool "can certainly" win the Premier League this season - but warned it will take a "huge slice of luck" to pip Manchester City to the title.
The Anfield icon was speaking as his former club put four goals past Manchester United on Tuesday night to claim top spot in the table. City will need to respond with a victory of their own to leapfrog the Reds as they host Brighton on Wednesday.
It has shaped up to be another vintage title race between the two world-leading clubs, who have shared the last four league titles between them. While Souness still makes City favourites to be crowned English champions, he pointed out even Pep Guardiola's winning machine can "slip up".
"Yes, of course they can certainly do it," the Scot told Sky Sports of Liverpool's title chances. "You need a huge slice of luck for the remaining games of the season but it is most certainly not beyond them. But like we saw with Spurs and Arsenal, you can see the very best can slip up at any time. So, it could happen to Liverpool but it is hard to see that happening."
City arguably have the easier run-in compared to their title rivals - who must face Everton and Tottenham - and their fate remains in their own hands. The Tottenham and Arsenal results Souness referenced came last weekend, when the two North London clubs "slipped up" in the top-four race with defeats by Brighton and Southampton respectively.
The 68-year-old - who won five First Division titles with Liverpool - also turned his attention to Mohamed Salah, who scored twice in the dominant victory over Manchester United. The double put an end to a brief but well-documented barren spell for the Egyptian, who is leading the Premier League scoring charts but went six games without a goal.
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"He is the greediest player I have ever seen," Souness said of Salah. "He is a brilliant player but he has been the greediest player I have seen for a while. Six games without a goal, a minor blip for him." The Liverpool No. 11's two goals took his tally for the season to 30 in 42 appearances in all competitions.
Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane were also on the scoresheet and Diogo Jota came off the bench to assist Salah's second strike, showing off the wealth of attacking options at Jurgen Klopp's disposal. Liverpool return to action against Everton on Sunday afternoon while City host Watford on Saturday after their midweek clash with Brighton.
