The Reds are comfortably clear of their title rivals in the Premier League, but their ex-midfielder feels they are a long way from becoming champions
Liverpool's Premier League title challenge could be put into jeopardy by injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, according to Reds legend Steve McManaman.
Jurgen Klopp's side opened up a 10-point lead over Manchester City on Saturday thanks to a 5-1 demolition of Arsenal, with City suffering back-to-back defeats to lose ground on their title rivals. Pep Guardiola has been hit by injuries to some key players and former Liverpool midfielder McManaman is wary that the same thing could happen at Anfield.
"If Liverpool get a bad injury to Van Dijk or to Salah, at the same time, your thoughts start to change," he told BT Sport.
"Football is one of those things. When they say you have to take it game-by-game, that's what you have to do. You have to hope everyone stays fit and the best team will win."
City could reduce the deficit to seven points on Sunday as they take on Southampton at St Mary's and McManaman still believes that last season's champions have what it takes to return to the top of the table. The Reds travel to Manchester on Thursday, where their lead over City could be further reduced, leaving the title race wide open once again.
"Of course Liverpool are absolutely flying at the moment but I'd still say Manchester City have got that little bit of an edge," the 46-year-old admitted.
"They have got them at home next and they have won the league before. I don't want to put too much pressure on Liverpool. Of course I want Liverpool to win the league, it goes without saying.
"They are frightening at this moment but every year we pick out teams to win the elague, to not win the league, and you fall flat on your face three months later.
"If it's in April and they've got that much point difference, I'm quite happy to shout it from the rooftops but they've got a long way to go."
From their first 20 Premier League games this season, Liverpool have won 54 points. Only two teams in history have had a better return at the same stage, with Man City setting the record last season with 58 points from 20 games.
SlimShady
55
Chamberlain was a key player when he got injured since last year. Joe Gomez was a key player when he got injured this season, Trent Alexander Arnold was a very key player when he got injured this season. All three of them were undisputable first team players before they got injured. The first two are not yet back from their injuries, but still Liverpool were able to cover up for them. So it baffles me when people start saying "it's because Man city have key players that are injured" or "wait till Liverpool start having key players injured". or is it that Bernardo Silva is not good enough to be in man city's starting line up?
Fizaeopsuz
40
Not nice talk by Steve there. VVD is playing well because he's got other players around him who are playing well. The same applies with Salah. Liverpool is playing as a team and they're not relying on one player. When Cautinho left the team actually got better. Ox is out injured and the team still plays well. Several other players are out with injuries but the team is still strong. Forget about so and so getting injured and the team fails to perform. Klopp is the real deal. He knows the game better than most of us. Ever wondered why he said he'll not buy new players in January. He knows he's well equipped and he trusts what he's got. He believes he's got the solutions within the team. And he's got the solutions. So those who wish some players to get injured your wishes are just wishes.
toneikmorz
28
I still find it difficult to accept that city is failing because of injuries! City is having quality players everywhere. It has been said on several platform that City is having more than 2 quality backups everywhere. Liverpool is without Gomez, Matip and the vibrant midfielder Ox Chamberlain. The only difference between City and Liverpool last season was defence and now there's Alison n Van dyk. So I wonder why people are saying City is still the favorite! The wicker liver got to the final last season and even beat City 4 times. City managed to draw one. So think well!!
zikailm
27
What if Ederson,Sterling, Laporte gets injured.All hating Liverpool and wishing bad luck.Well I got news for you.Keep on hating this is Liverpool's season [two][zero][one][nine][Bear][Cheer][Cheer][Camera][Camera]