Shearer claims Liverpool could be 'title challengers' with win over Arsenal
Alan Shearer believes Liverpool can throw their name into the Premier League title conversation if they beat Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday, pointing to a run of five straight wins under Andoni Iraola as a sign of growing momentum on Merseyside.
Liverpool have bounced back strongly since their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City earlier this month, most recently beating third place Brighton last weekend. They now host the defending champions looking to close the gap on the top of the table, with Dominik Szoboszlai's free kick having settled last season's meeting between the two sides 1-0 in Liverpool's favour.
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Speaking to Betfair, Shearer explained why he sees genuine momentum building at Anfield. “They're just little signs of Liverpool getting into stride,” he said. “I worked their game against Villarreal and for half an hour, they were really poor but after that there was a big improvement. They got a brilliant result against Brighton. Not many people thought that they could get that result.”
He continued: “It just feels as if there's a little bit of momentum happening at Liverpool. It seems as if the players are buying into his ideas and they're getting results. Whether you like it or not Liverpool could become title challengers with a win on Sunday, you have to look at it that way. Now, whatever happens with Man City, whenever it happens, I guess the team in third position would also have to think, well, if that does happen to City, then we've got to be ready. We've got to be ready to mount a challenge, you know? So, I think it's a big opportunity for Liverpool to throw themselves into that talk if they get the right result this weekend.”
Arsenal's grim Anfield history
Arsenal arrive at Anfield in poor historical form against Liverpool away from home. According to Opta, the Gunners are winless in their last 13 away Premier League fixtures against Liverpool, with five draws and eight defeats since their last victory there in 2012-13. Arsenal have never gone 14 league games without an away win at Anfield, with the only comparable run, between 1975-76 and 1987-88, famously ended by the 2-0 victory in 1988-89 that secured the title.
Shearer not confident after cup shock
Arsenal go into the weekend having beaten Everton last time out in the league but suffering a shock Carabao Cup exit to League Two side Fleetwood Town in midweek. Shearer believes the result still reflects poorly on the club despite Mikel Arteta fielding a much changed side.
“Arsenal need to bounce back on Sunday,” he said. “They got a good result last weekend which was pretty straightforward against Everton but I guess the criticism after Tuesday is warranted. I know Arteta put a different team out, but still you're representing Arsenal and it was an embarrassing result. Arsenal now have got the chance to bounce back, but I guess the game you wouldn't want would be going to Anfield as Liverpool just feel as if they've got a bit of form going, a bit of momentum going. It doesn't come much tougher than going to Anfield for Arsenal. I don't think they've got the best record there either. I don't think they've won there in a while.”
Arsenal will look to end their long wait for an away win over Liverpool and respond to the midweek cup exit when the two sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.
