Liverpool Go 13 Points Clear In Title Race With Resounding Victory Against Newcastle.
Liverpool have strengthened their grip on the Premier League title race, extending their lead at the top to 13 points following a 2-0 win against Newcastle on Wednesday.
No team in English top-flight history, dating back to 1888-89, has ever been this far ahead at this stage of the season without going on to lift the title.
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker described Liverpool’s position as “less of a title race and more of a procession.”
The Reds have only suffered one league defeat all season, while second-placed Arsenal have dropped points in consecutive matches, including a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest.
Forest legend Martin O’Neill, speaking on TNT Sport, declared that Arsenal’s result effectively ended their title hopes. “I cannot see Arsenal catching Liverpool, not at all,” he said.
Despite Liverpool’s commanding position, manager Arne Slot remained cautious. “It is still a long way to go, 10 games. In March we only play one Premier League game – so we are not focused on the long term.”
Slot added that his team’s attention would shift to their upcoming Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain before returning to domestic matters.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insisted his team would fight on, stating before the Forest match that he would concede the title “over [his] dead body.” However, after the match, he admitted, “The only thing we can do is win our matches and see how many points we get.”
Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman praised the Reds’ form, calling them “unstoppable” and “in cruise control,” adding that other teams’ inconsistency was aiding Liverpool’s dominance.
Forest currently sit third, six points behind Arsenal, with reigning champions Manchester City a further point back.
The only team to have been 13 points clear and not won the Premier League was Manchester United in 1997-98, when Arsenal staged a comeback to claim the title – but that lead was relinquished earlier in the season.
