"I'm still slightly worried about them" – Chris Sutton makes interesting Premier League title claim involving Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City

Former Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers star Chris Sutton has stated that Liverpool pose a mightier Premier League title challenge to defending champions Manchester City than Arsenal in the 2023-24 season.

Last season, Manchester City leapfrogged the Gunners in their title run-in to lift their fifth Premier League crown in the last six years. They finished on 89 points while Mikel Arteta's side recorded 84 points.

Liverpool, on the other hand, achieved a fifth-placed finish in the 2022-23 domestic standings. They racked up just 67 points from 38 games, suffering a 25-point drop from their 2021-22 league points tally.

However, following a midfield rebuild earlier this summer, Jurgen Klopp's outfit are currently on a brilliant run of form. They are fourth with 20 points from nine games in the 2023-24 table, one point behind Arsenal and City and three behind surprise leaders Tottenham Hotspur.

During an interaction on BBC 5Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton was asked if the Reds should be considered as genuine Premier League title contenders. He responded (h/t The Echo):

"Yes, they are title contenders. Not just because of the midfield players they've brought in but the rotation they've had in the forward areas. They never leave Salah out but they've got so many good options. I'm still slightly worried about them defensively."

Stating that Manchester City are poorer than past season, Sutton said:

"But I was at the Etihad at the weekend and Manchester City were brilliant in the first half [in their 2-1 win over Brighton] but they're looking a little bit vulnerable. I think Liverpool will be a bigger challenger to Manchester City than Arsenal this season, I really do."

Liverpool, who signed Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo in the summer, beat rivals Everton 2-0 earlier this Saturday (October 21). On the other hand, Arsenal drew 2-2 against Chelsea, while 10-men Manchester City defeated Brighton 2-1 at home.

Liverpool have advantage over Arsenal and others in quest for silverware, insists pundit

Former Premier League star Robbie Earle has insisted that Mohamed Salah is capable of firing Liverpool to the domestic title, unlike Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. He said (h/t TBR):

"His numbers for a team that are going to challenge for a title are irreplaceable right now. And I was thinking that Arsenal haven't got one at the moment, Chelsea haven't, United haven't and Spurs havent. That player who's going to get you goals to win you a title, Liverpool have got and he's a blessing, an absolute blessing."

Salah, 31, has opened his 2023-24 season on a characteristic note so far, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in 11 games across competitions. His brace in his team's latest 2-0 win over Everton helped the Reds maintain their push for a first league title since 2020.

Since arriving from AS Roma for £36 million in 2017, the Egyptian has guided the Merseyside outfit to seven trophies. He has registered 194 goals and 83 assists in 316 overall appearances for the Reds so far.