LIVERPOOL’S PREMIER LEAGUE title hopes are all but over after their failure to defeat Chelsea, according to Jamie Carragher.
The Reds’ former defender believes Champions League qualification is a much more realistic goal after the 1-1 draw against the Blues at Anfield on Tuesday.
That result left Liverpool in fourth place, 10 points behind leaders Chelsea after 23 top-flight games and only three above Manchester City ahead of their clash with West Ham on Wednesday.
Indeed, Carragher believes the other sides near the top of the table are also close to giving up the chase and instead focusing on making the top four.
It hasn’t been a good January and it leaves it with very little chance, really,” Carragher told Sky Sports of Liverpool’s title hopes.
“I think possibly they had to beat Chelsea to give them, and the rest of the league, an outside chance. The title is maybe a distant dream if you like.
“You hope Arsenal can beat Chelsea at the weekend, and maybe we could talk about it a little bit more then, but I think at this moment the rest of the sides are more worried about the top four and being left out of the top four than the title.
I think most people will see it as a good performance and a good lift, more for the top four than for the title.
“For Liverpool it wasn’t just the fact they didn’t lose the game, there’s a feel-good factor because of a better performance — they came back after struggling.”
Carragher feels the gap between Chelsea and Liverpool is highlighted most by the strength in depth of Antonio Conte’s squad.
He said: “Do Chelsea have the strongest squad? They bring on Cesc Fabregas, they have a £30million striker in Michy Batshuayi who never plays.
“They have John Terry — they have got a very strong squad. That’s the difference certainly to Liverpool.”
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If his goal really is to win another champions league (that’s obviously not going to happen at United in what’s left of his career) then what genuine competitor for the tournament could afford him and more importantly actually want him?
@Gareth Keenan: i think he just wants to keep playing in the champions league, not necessarily win it again. Maybe he should consider an immediate loan spell with Rovers and help us push through to the group stages of it.
@Kevin: there’s a thought!
@Kevin: that would be some story, I can see it now…
Big Cristiano fan throughout the years but surely even he must recognise that the equation probably won’t add up the way he wants it too.
Big money + competitive champions league team + automatic starter in every game.is not realistic in my view.
He could probably find some good situations where he can get 2 of the 3.
Will be interested too see what happens. As a utd fan too I think that he might have to find a bit more humility I’d he is to stay relevant in ETH’s plans. Still great on his day.
Even with this Dr Evil demand level of money, with his level of skill even at this stage in his career the Saudi League would be like if he rocked up to an adults five a side match in the park on a Sunday. He’d be richer than rich but no way would he be satisfied professionally
Wants to leave but doesn’t want to go to any club who wants him
He Doesn’t need the money. Surprised someone like PSG didn’t go for him.