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Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has asserted that his former team still have the potential to clinch the Premier League title this season, despite the growing gap at the summit. The Reds have had a challenging campaign thus far, even though they kicked off their title defence with five consecutive victories.
However, those initial matches raised concerns as last-minute victories and tumultuous games set the precedent for how the remaining fixtures have unfolded so far. With six losses in their previous seven Premier League clashes, the heat is on Arne Slot to reverse their fortunes.
The most recent setback occurred upon Liverpool's return from the November international break, with Nottingham Forest delivering a blow to the Reds at Anfield. Goals from Murillo, Nicolo Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White encapsulated a dismal afternoon for Slot, as the issues continue to mount.
With Liverpool currently languishing in 11th place in the Premier League, an 11-point chasm has emerged between them and league leaders Arsenal, creating a gulf that may be insurmountable. While some are doubting whether the Reds can regain their form, Souness remains confident that his old club can still secure the title.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, he said: "Anything can happen in our league. I have worked in big leagues abroad, and I tell you, our league is by far the most demanding league anywhere. Big clubs don't get a rest. So it's still very much on for three or four teams, and I have to include Liverpool, because I know the way the crowd react there. They won't give up on the team.", reports the Mirror.
Arsenal legend Martin Keown disagreed with Souness, stating: "In '81 you lost seven games, you won 26. You won five titles by the way, and you were winning them back-to-back, it was a different Liverpool perhaps then. You've already lost six games this year."
Souness replied: "Martin, you've been around the block several times, you know there's madness in football. Anything can happen."
Keown responded: "They'll have to win virtually every game this season.."
Nevertheless, the former Liverpool midfielder refused to write them off, commenting: "I'm not a betting man, I wouldn't bet on them, but I think it would be mad to bet against them unless you're a really keen gambler. Football is full of surprises, that's why it's the most loved, most watched, most interesting sport in the world for me."
Following the disappointing spell, Slot has accepted accountability for the recent setbacks whilst also identifying where he believes the issues may stem from.
Speaking to the media after Liverpool's loss to Nottingham Forest, he said: "It is my responsibility. If we win or lose, it is my responsibility.
"But what I also see is the team and, by the way, our fans as well stay until the end, support the team until the end and the players keep on trying until the end. What I also saw today, but it wasn't at [Manchester] City - and at City we are not the only team that struggles in the first half - and in every other game we've played, we've been the dominant team and we were able to create chances.
"Like I said, lately it is almost constantly that we miss our chances and then ones go in that we concede, but that will never continue throughout the whole season. We need to have that moment of energy of scoring a goal."
In each of their Premier League losses this term, Liverpool have been unable to establish an early advantage, highlighting just how vital it is for them to find the net first.
With an attack that lacks cohesion and a defence that appears more vulnerable this campaign, it presents a troubling puzzle for any manager to resolve.
Slot faces a more manageable sequence of Premier League fixtures ahead, though, which could provide the catalyst for a turnaround for both him and his squad.
Encounters with West Ham, Sunderland, and Leeds United lie in wait over the coming weeks, potentially offering the opportunity to restore that victorious mentality at Anfield.
Conversely, should the Reds persist with their recent displays, it might simply heap additional scrutiny upon the manager.
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