Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Jamie Carragher in Premier League title U-turn as he names player who tips balance in Liverpool favour

Jamie Carragher, Sky Sports pundit pictured at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Jamie Carragher reckons Liverpool’s victory at Arsenal on Wednesday night will prove the key result of the season after changing his mind on the destiny of the Premier League title.

The Reds were forced to dig deep to secure their 2-0 win at Arsenal, thanks to goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino. The win lifts Liverpool to within one point of Manchester City, who were held 0-0 at Crystal Palace on Monday. After the game, an upbeat Jurgen Klopp was in no mood to hear any criticism of one of his Liverpool stars.

All attention will now be focused on the crunch Premier League clash between the two sides at the Etihad on April 10. Before then, Liverpool host Watford and City travel to Burnley.

However, after witnessing Liverpool’s defiant victory at Emirates Stadium, Carragher is changing his mind on where the title will go. Having backed City all season, Carragher has now performed a staggering U-turn and reckons Liverpool have the mentality needed to win.

Carragher explained on Sky Sports: “I think it is absolutely massive. I think everyone now connected with Liverpool Football Club thinks that they will go on and win the league. This is certainly the first time this season that I have believed that they can go on and win it.

“Manchester City are still there, and there is only a point in it. But I think the momentum Liverpool must have now, they could go top in their next game. You can see the reaction of the fans and the players.”

Title pendulum has swung

Carragher remains wary of Pep Guardiola’s side, but reckons he’s seen a shift of momentum.

“Manchester City are still in great form and have only dropped off a little bit. But imagine what Anfield is going to be like. You see those supporters now and I believe every single person in that away end believes we are going to win the Premier League.”

The win at Arsenal on Wednesday means the Reds have now won their last eight Premier League games. In that process, they have only conceded three goals.

City, meanwhile, have dropped points in three of their last seven games. Having drawn against Palace, they were also denied by Southampton. They also lost at home by Tottenham in one of the games of the season.

Jamie Carragher names Liverpool’s key player

While accepting the two sides are very equally matched, Carragher reckons there is a difference-maker for Liverpool.

And the pundit reckons the January signing of Luis Diaz may prove a masterstroke as far as Liverpool are concerned.

The Colombian arrived in an initial £37.5m deal – and has hit the ground running on Merseyside.

“I just feel that for Liverpool, the signing of Diaz. It’s not just as an individual, but what it has done to their options. What Liverpool brought off the bench is much better than the year they won the Champions League, the year they won the Premier League.

“Now if someone is having a poor game, you know someone is going to come on and improve Liverpool from the bench. That is a massive difference that this team has never had.”

READ MORECarragher warns Harry Maguire ‘worst moment in his career’ could cost him Man Utd future