Premier League legend Michael Owen has heaped praise on Liverpool, saying Arne Slot’s men are the overwhelming favourites to win the championship this season.
Owen has said the Reds have been leaps and bounds better than the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, adding that only a self-implosion can keep them from claiming their 20th English top-flight title.
Premier League leaders Liverpool put daylight between them and second-placed Chelsea on Boxing Day, taking another step towards the title. Earlier in the day, Chelsea lost 2-1 to Fulham at Stamford Bridge, gifting Liverpool the opportunity to go seven points clear at the top of the league rankings.
Jordan Ayew scored early for Leicester City to make things interesting at Anfield Stadium. Liverpool, however, held their nerve and came away with a 3-1 victory, with Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah getting on the scoresheet. The victory — Liverpool’s 13th of the Premier League season — saw them go seven points clear at the top, with a game in hand.
Michael Owen Will Be ‘Astonished’ If Liverpool Do Not Win the Premier League
Speaking on Premier League Productions after Liverpool’s win over Leicester City, Owen said:
“People will say, they [Liverpool] will come out and say, ‘we don’t look at other teams, we just concentrate on ourselves’, and they’re right to do that and they are concentrating on themselves, they are motoring along really well.
“But everyone around them is falling away at the same time, Chelsea lost today, Manchester City dropped points again, and they’re probably out of it now. When I look at the league table I’d be astonished if Liverpool don’t go on to win it now.”
Owen said only Arsenal could pose a threat to Liverpool, but maintained that only an self-implosion could cost them the title.
The former Liverpool striker added:
“I think their only danger could be Arsenal. I don’t fancy Chelsea, I think they are too young, too inexperienced. Forest are having a great season but they can’t sustain that.
“For me, it’s Arsenal and Arsenal only in terms of danger to them [Liverpool]. But I think they’re only a danger to themselves, the way they are playing, unless they implode themselves unless they have a Manchester City moment, it looks like they’re streaking clear.”
Liverpool will play their final game of 2024 against West Ham United at London Stadium on Sunday, 29th December.
