Liverpool are 'firm favourites' to win the Premier League this season, says ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown
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ByEurosport
Updated 03/04/2024 at 18:57 GMT
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the Premier League title advantage is with Liverpool ahead of a crunch run-in. The former Arsenal defender believes Liverpool's game against Manchester United at Old Trafford in May could be decisive in the title race. Fellow TNT Sports pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott have also given their predictions for who will win the Premier League title.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp embraces Wataru Endo following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield
Image credit: Getty Images
Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown says Liverpool are "firm favourites" to win the Premier League this season.
Manchester City and Arsenal played out a goalless draw in a highly-anticipated clash at the Etihad Stadium last Sunday, which meant Liverpool finished the weekend two points clear at the top of the table after a 2-1 win over Brighton.
With just nine games left of the Premier League season to go, Liverpool have a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United on May 11 and all three teams in the title race are due to play fifth-placed Tottenham.
Keown believes Liverpool's clash against United could be pivotal in the run-in, but still thinks Jurgen Klopp's side are on track to win the league.
"It’s wide open between now and the end of the season," he told TNT Sports ahead of Arsenal's clash against Luton on Wednesday.
"Liverpool have the points; they look favourites. But Arsenal have to get the job done. City, we know, are quite magnificent. They’re born winners in that group and their manager is a serial winner.
"The difference this year is that they can win every game, but it doesn’t mean that they’re going to be champions. Liverpool have the points.
"I think they look better but all three of them have got to play Spurs. I’d be going into their game against Manchester United saying ‘If we can beat Man United, who finished our season in the FA Cup, we can be Premier League champions.’ It’s that big.
"I definitely feel that [it could be the turning point]. It’s quite a tough game; they want payback.
"There’s lots of motivation for many reasons. Liverpool being two points ahead of Arsenal makes them firm favourites."
After playing Aston Villa on Wednesday, City take on Crystal Palace, Luton, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Wolves, Fulham, West Ham and Tottenham.
Luton captain Tom Lockyer believes City's run-in and title-winning experience will concern Liverpool and Arsenal.
"It’s going to go right to the wire," he said.
"The thing that Liverpool and Arsenal will be worried about is that City can win every game. They’ve proved that, year after year, that they have the capability to do that."
Former City defender Joleon Lescott believes Liverpool will "get the job done" and lift the Premier League title next month.
"In a sense it's gone into Liverpool's hands [after the weekend results]," Lescott said.
"For them to have to lose a game now, not just drop points from a City perspective, I don't see that. I think they have a slightly tougher run-in potentially, but I think they get the job done because they've been in a position similar to this before.
"You don't want Man City chasing you obviously, but overall I believe - and it pains me to say it - Liverpool get the job done."
Ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes City's title-winning experience will get them over the line.
"On paper I think Man City have got the easier run-in," he said. "The experience is going to play a big part. I think Liverpool and those three away games at Fulham, Everton and West Ham are difficult.
"I think Arsenal have the toughest run-in. I've said Man City from the beginning of the season and I continue to say it now."
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