Arne Slott has played down optimism about Liverpool’s Premier League title chances and says Manchester City’s plight shows how quickly the season can change.
The Reds moved seven points clear at the top of the table and 14 ahead of the defending champions as goals from Cody Gakpo, Kurtis Jones and Mohamed Salah earned Leicester a 3-1 win over second-placed Chelsea at Fulham.
The gap will close to six points if Arsenal beat Ipswich on Friday night, but Slott’s side also have a game in hand, even if their manager is taking nothing for granted.
In his press conference after the win against Leicester, Slott used Manchester City’s woeful form as an example of how things could turn out, with Pep Guardiola’s side having won just one of their last 12 games in all competitions following a draw with Everton. (1-1).
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Highlights of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leicester
Asked if it was Liverpool’s title loss, Slott said: “If you’ve been in this game for a long time, like these players have, or I have, you know that 20 games before the end, you don’t look at it that way.
“There are still a lot of challenges ahead. Just two months ago we were one point behind City and look what happened there in terms of a bit of bad luck and suspensions. It can happen to any team.”
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Slott also dismissed the idea that Liverpool are on their way to the title, saying they have had no “easy wins” this season.
“It’s too early to celebrate, but of course it’s nice for us to be the team we are. But I don’t think it’s been an easy win for us.
“It could have been an easy win against Tottenham but then we conceded two and it was 5-3.
“It shows how difficult it is to win if all your players are available, especially if you get injuries or suspensions somewhere during the season.
“That’s why we have to take it one game at a time.
“It’s important to win, I felt we had to win, but then I had the same feeling against Fulham and Nottingham Forest, so you always have a lot to do in the Premier League.
“The table is something we are aware of, but we also understand how many games there are still to play.”
