‘Moments like this win titles’ – Liverpool are ‘above their rivals’

Liverpool came out of the blocks in August, becoming serious title contenders, but their momentum had shown signs of slowing in recent weeks.

Slot’s side dropped nine points from their opening 18 matches, losing one and drawing three, but dropped four points from two games before facing Brentford.

After 90 minutes of traveling from Liverpool to London it looked like two more were going to beg. However, they showed courage and resilience to get the job done.

Arsenal failed to maintain the momentum later in the day as they squandered a two-goal lead during a dramatic eight-minute spell in the second half against Aston Villa.

“Liverpool score two goals in injury time – and Arsenal do that, it’s a huge change – I’d be shocked if Liverpool didn’t win the league now,” former Gunner Paul Merson said on Sky Sports.

Liverpool’s late victory could well prove the catalyst needed over the coming weeks to land the big prize in Slot’s first season at the club.

“It’s a big day in the title race and it’s turned even more upside down for Liverpool – there are some real downcast faces in the Arsenal crowd,” Gary Neville said on Sky Sports.

Arsenal were flying when the clock reached the 55th minute as Kai Havertz walked away to celebrate his second against Villa after Gabriel Martinelli had opened the scoring.

But just 13 minutes later Villa were level through Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins.

The Gunners rallied and thought they had scored the winning goal just three minutes from time when Mikel Merino’s shot went in Havertz, but the goal was ruled out after a handball check by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Arsenal have fallen 12 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign since 2019-20 (21).

“We were incredible. So proud of the way we played, our dominance, our fluidity and everything we put into it,” boss Mikel Arteta told BBC Sport.

“We played three games in six days. So proud of themselves, but at the same time so disappointed. We deserve more. We didn’t get it and we are sad about it.

“There are times, and obviously they (Liverpool) managed to do it (win). They made the substitutes, and the substitutes had the impact and changed the game.

“On our side it was the opposite, even after conceding two very close goals. The danger was that I knew half the team could go down because we were physically exhausted.”

Newcastle and Nottingham Forest have also been touted as potential title rivals for Liverpool in recent weeks.

But the Magpies’ 4-1 home defeat to Bournemouth earlier on Saturday left them fourth and 12 points adrift, while third-placed Nottingham Forest are nine points behind as they host bottom club Southampton on Sunday.