The Premier League is only seven games old this season, but the title race is already heating up, and Jamie Carragher has weighed in with his thoughts.
Just like last season, Liverpool and Arsenal started the campaign as the favourites, and the two teams have delivered on those expectations.
The Gunners sit top of the table heading into the current international break, meanwhile Liverpool are just one point behind them after the first seven fixtures.
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Both teams have showcased moments of quality and vulnerability, but Carragher believes Mikel Arteta’s team are actually the favourites right now.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesJamie Carragher believes Arsenal are the favourites for the Premier League
Arsenal may only have a slender lead in the title race right now, but it’s enough to make fans believe this could be the year they reclaim England’s top prize.
Carragher might be a Liverpool fan, but he believes Arsenal’s squad is slightly stronger than Arne Slot’s, which gives them the edge.
However, during the latest edition of The Overlap, Carragher explained the one thing that could stop Arsenal from winning the title this season.
“The only thing that can stop you is that thing that’s probably stopped other teams in the past, where you get to March, April, and there’s so much hanging over your shoulder.
“I think what you said, we’ve all said it, they’ve got a squad, and when you look across, they’re better than Liverpool right now. I never put my ticket [on Liverpool], they’ll come and do a bit.
“I think what you used to do, what people used to say, is three or four points off the lead going into January, especially.
“Exactly. And I think Liverpool could find themselves five, six points behind, even in February.”
Liverpool’s defensive issues could be their downfall this season
Liverpool made a strong unbeaten start to the season, but Slot’s side have now lost their previous two Premier League games against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
The Reds were also beaten by Galatasaray between those games, in what has been a difficult period for them. But they are results that many fans believe have been coming.
Liverpool have struggled defensively this season, relying on many last-minute goals to win games.
Carragher himself has been critical of the team’s setup and frantic play, and that has been reflected in recent results.
Only Manchester United have conceded more goals than Liverpool’s nine in the top half of the table this season, which proves that Slot needs to address an issue.
Comparatively, Arsenal have only conceded three goals, while they have also scored one more than Liverpool, highlighting just how impressive Arteta’s team has been.