Liverpool moved six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield yesterday as Manchester City slipped further behind the Reds, going down 2-1 away at Leicester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s side easily brushed aside a disappointing Newcastle United side as Dejan Lovren opened the scoring with a fine strike following a catastrophic header from Jamaal Lascelles when trying to defend a corner.
Shortly after the break Mohamed Salah won and converted a penalty before Xherdan Shaqiri tapped home Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross to make it three. The fourth came late on as substitute Fabinho headed in a corner from Salah to complete the comprehensive victory.
But the real Christmas bonus came at the King Power Stadium, where City lost their second game in the space of four days – and their third in four matches.
The 2-1 defeat sees the champions drop to third place behind Tottenham Hotspur who are now Liverpool’s closest challengers, six points off the pace after their 5-0 thrashing of Bournemouth.
Liverpool are now the favourites for the Premier League title. Successful seasons are built on moments, and today feels like the moment when Liverpool overtook Manchester City as the favourites to win the league. Had City won and kept the gap at four points Liverpool could not be seen as clear favourites but the gap has gone to six points and they are playing better than anyone in the league right now.
The threat now comes from Spurs, who are now the second-best team in the league, and on form themselves. How Spurs cope without the in-form Son Heung-min will be critical, whilst Liverpool are fit and firing on all cylinders right now. This is a team with the best defence in the league and quite possibly the best attack. With six wins in a row Liverpool have stepped up at a critical moment and it could make all the difference come May.
