Liverpool news as club legend Jamie Carragher has given his verdict on the Premier League title race, with the Reds currently leading the way in the table
Sport
Comments
Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea have one way into the Premier League title race with Liverpool
(Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has cast doubts over Chelsea's Premier League title-winning credentials this season, despite acknowledging Enzo Maresca's edge in what has emerged as a surprising bid to end a seven-year wait to be crowned champions again. The Blues are on an impressive streak with five consecutive wins and could leapfrog Liverpool to the top spot this weekend, capitalising on their unexpected momentum.
With a game in hand, Arne Slot's side will be looking to respond after Chelsea's potential climb during their visit to Everton on Sunday. Tottenham await Liverpool just several hours later.
Chelsea have managed to create a buffer between themselves and Arsenal in third place, while also ramping up the pressure on Liverpool, especially after last weekend's Merseyside derby was postponed. Fulham's draw at Anfield last Saturday presents Chelsea with a golden chance to assert their title challenge.
READ MORE: Alisson sends Vinicius Jr message after Mohamed Salah Liverpool snubREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE - Mohamed Salah updates, Omar Marmoush latest, Southampton team news
Following a strong performance at home on Sunday, Maresca's squad now sits seven points clear of reigning champions Manchester City in fifth and nine ahead of Bournemouth, just one place further back. This gap not only bolsters their Champions League qualification hopes but may also provide an additional spot outside the top four.
Maresca himself is downplaying the prospect of clinching the league in his debut season, reports football.london, and Carragher's analysis on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football echoes that caution. "I still look at them and don't see a title-winning team in there," he said.
Carragher has drawn parallels between the current Chelsea side and the 2013/14 Liverpool team under Brendan Rogers, which almost clinched the title. Carragher highlighted, "Just because when I look at the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs."
However, despite boasting the third-best defence, their mid-table xGA (expected goals against) suggests they may be punching above their weight. It’s the Blues' offensive flair, along with the intermittent brilliance of keeper Robert Sanchez - despite his high-profile blunders - that has bolstered their campaign, especially as their open play sometimes leaves them vulnerable.
Carragher added: "The season where Liverpool came really close under Brendan Rogers, they came from nowhere. No one expected it, but they didn't have European football."
Noting that Chelsea’s second string can competently manage their Conference League obligations, providing Maresca's squad a competitive edge, Carragher posits that as Chelsea can afford to rest players during the week. It is a luxury confirmed by first-team regulars sitting out the easier group stage matches so they can be sharper in the Premier League compared to Liverpool, who face a demanding Champions League schedule.
Chelsea's squad depth could be the key to them beating Liverpool in the title race, according to Carragher. The Blues have been able to rest players in the Conference League and will do so again against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are also through to the next stage of the Champions League. However, come the end of the season, Chelsea's depth could give them the edge over their rivals, as they can rotate more frequently.
This was evident last week when Tosin Adarabioyo was the only senior player to start both the trip to Kazakhstan to face Astana and the match against Brentford three days later.