23 hours ago
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Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer says Liverpool will be out of the Premier League title race if it loses to Aston Villa this weekend.
Arsenal could move 10 points ahead of Arne Slot's side with a victory at Turf Moor earlier in the day. Liverpool will take to the field playing catch-up regardless of the result.
"If they lose on Saturday, I don't see them in the title race," Shearer told Betfair. "If they win, build confidence, they've still got the quality to go on a big run. Saturday evening is huge — another defeat, and I think they're out of it.
"I wouldn't say crisis just yet — but they're in a very sticky situation. We might have to use the word crisis if Aston Villa beat them at Anfield on Saturday.
"For now, I'd say it's a sticky situation rather than a full-blown crisis. I thought it was a huge gamble that backfired against Crystal Palace.
"Having said that, if they win on Saturday and again on Tuesday, then from his point of view it could prove to be the right decision because the Carabao Cup would have been low on the priority list.
"But when you're a club already struggling and desperately in need of a result, it's risky to put out that sort of side and those substitutes.
"If you lose narrowly, say 1-0 to a dodgy decision — fine. But when you're battered at home and Palace fans are singing "Can we play you every week?", that's damaging.
"We won't know the full extent of the fallout until after Saturday evening's result. It's put more pressure on the players who'll come back in for the Villa game at Anfield.
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"If they win, he'll say it was the right decision — but they have to win now after that selection.
"If they lose on Saturday, I don't see them in the title race. If they win, build confidence, they've still got the quality to go on a big run. Saturday evening is huge — another defeat, and I think they're out of it."
Liverpool.com says: It is too soon to rule anything out in the Premier League title race but the Reds can't afford to be left too far behind. Arsenal might have a sticky period, but Liverpool needs to be in a position to capitalize.
Arne Slot will expect to see an improvement in results sooner rather than later. This week, his side will take on Aston Villa, then Real Madrid and Manchester City.
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