'Hard to envisage…' – Gary Lineker drops Liverpool title race claim after weekend of drama
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Gary Lineker is now convinced about one thing in the Premier League title race after a dramatic weekend at the top of the table.
Liverpool had been on the verge of a third consecutive top-flight match without a win before scoring twice against Brentford in stoppage time, and then Arsenal relinquished a two-goal lead at home to Aston Villa to end up with only a draw, with the Reds now six points clear and boasting a game in hand.
Nottingham Forest drew level on points with the Gunners following victory over Southampton on Sunday, with champions Manchester City 12 adrift of Arne Slot's side even after an ominous 6-0 thrashing of Ipswich.
Lineker can't see Liverpool blowing current lead
Speaking on The Rest Is Football after the weekend's events, Lineker stopped short of saying that the title race is a foregone conclusion, but claimed that he can't see Liverpool losing their group on top spot after once again showing their resilience on Saturday.
The Match of the Day host said: "I think it's hard to envisage them [Liverpool] letting this slip. We know that things can happen and things can change, but they've got a big, very strong squad with replacements in all positions.
'They've got a belief, a momentum and a coach who really knows what he's doing. It's hard to see, really, because who's going to come from behind and win almost every game, which you would probably have to do now?
"Man City are probably too far back even if Liverpool were to slip up a bit, which they don't look like doing. I'd be incredibly surprised if they don't go all the way now… It's early to say the title's done – of course it's not – but it's all Liverpool's to lose."
Far too early to celebrate, but it's definitely advantage Liverpool
It definitely feels as though the momentum has shifted considerably in Liverpool's favour after Saturday's results in particular – had we been held to a draw at Brentford and Arsenal gone on to win to move within two points, the outlook would feel substantially different now.
Lineker isn't the only pundit who believes that the Reds' title credentials were strengthened greatly over the weekend, although LFC fans know better than to get overly excited at this stage in the season, having seen similar January leads evaporate in previous years.
Next weekend sees the rarity of each of the top three playing simultaneously (3pm Saturday), so there won't be an opportunity for one title rival to steal an early march on (or hand a pre-game initiative to) another.
One aspect where Liverpool do seem to have an edge is in terms of their strength in depth, with their last two league games seeing Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez come off the bench to make decisive contributions, as did Harvey Elliott with his role in the Uruguayan's brace against Brentford.
Lineker seems convinced that the Premier League trophy will be raised at Anfield in May, and while it's much too premature to look that far ahead, there's no disputing that the Reds are in the enviable position of having their fate firmly in their own hands.
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