Liverpool fans and players alike can be a superstitious bunch.
From the near-sacred status of the "This Is Anfield" sign in the tunnel to the belief that a simple photo under a Christmas tree could jinx a player's form, Liverpool and their supporters are often wary of outside forces affecting the team's fortunes—whether you believe in them or not.
This made it all the more remarkable to hear the traveling supporters at the Etihad erupt into chants of "We're going to win the league" over the weekend after one of the Reds' finest performances of the season—a scintillating, incisive 2-0 victory over perennial rivals Manchester City, sending the club 11 points clear at the top of the table.
One big step Closer
The weekend win in Manchester also propelled Liverpool that much closer to a Premier League title after Arsenal lost 1-0 at home to West Ham on Saturday, a stunning result that must feel like a blow to the gut for the Gunners.
I firmly believe it’s fair to say that Liverpool have proven themselves as the most complete and consistent team in the Premier League this season, and the numbers agree–some bookmakers currently have the Reds listed as 1/14 favorites to win the title, implying about a 93% chance of finishing in first place.
This essentially spells disaster for the Gunners–even if they were to win every remaining game in their fixture list, Liverpool would have to drop at least 12 points across their final 11 games of the season. This seems highly unlikely for a side that has only lost one Premier League game all year.
Let’s compare this current situation to one of the most infamous collapses in Premier League history.
In the 1995-1996 season, Newcastle United held a commanding 12 point lead over Manchester United in January.
However, the Red Devils mounted an incredible comeback, ultimately winning the title by four points. It remains one of the most dramatic bottle jobs in league history.
Not only are we a month further into the season with just a one point difference separating Liverpool from that Newcastle team, but the quality of the teams chasing from behind in second place also warrants attention.
This is in no way a slight against Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, who have undoubtedly established themselves as one of the Premier League’s top teams under the Spaniard’s stewardship; however, there’s a clear gap in quality between this Arsenal side and the Manchester United team that pulled off that historic comeback.
Not being chased by Legends
As I’ve mentioned, Arteta is an excellent coach, but Sir Alex Ferguson is likely the only Premier League manager capable of orchestrating a turnaround of that magnitude.
He did so with players like Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Paul Scholes—while Arsenal are currently grappling with a lack of attacking firepower, particularly with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined due to injury.
Liverpool also have players in their team who have already won the Premier League with the club: Mo Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold already have crucial experience to see out a title winning season, something Arsenal cannot lay claim to.
Complacency could be a possible killer if Liverpool were to somehow slip up and miss out on winning the title, but manager Arne Slot’s often stoic, laser focused attitude also makes this seem like a distant reality.
While he rightfully acknowledged that the Reds are indeed in “good position” to clinch the title after Sunday’s win, he also added that “In every other league, having a lead like this would be comfortable,” still recognizing how challenging winning the title is even with this current cushion.
Keeping the Focus
The players likewise seem locked in to see this title race all the way to a triumph, with Mo Salah sharing that he believes “We need another title. Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title” after the win against City, affirming his belief that he and the other senior players in the team can cement an incredible legacy with the club if they are to hoist the trophy again.
The win against City not only highlighted Arne Slot's brilliant tactical flexibility, demonstrating that Liverpool can still dominate comfortably without holding a large share of possession—a style he has further developed from Klopp's groundwork—but also, perhaps more significantly, feels like a passing of the torch.
Liverpool have struggled at City's ground in recent years, but in a season where they are on the brink of running away with the title, this victory could mark the beginning of a new era at the top of the Premier League.
For years, Manchester City has held that crown; now, it feels like Liverpool are poised to take it.
So, while the math may not yet say a title is 100% certain, it’s safe to say that if Liverpool don’t win the Premier League, it would be a colossal collapse—something I just don’t see these Mentality Monsters allowing to happen.