Alan Shearer makes admission over Liverpool title charge

Pundit and former Premier League great Alan Shearer has backed Liverpool to 'go the distance' in the Premier League title race this season.

The Reds sit top of the pile after 20 games of the 2023/24 season, three points clear of second-placed Aston Villa – though Manchester City can close the gap to two points with their game in hand.

Jurgen Klopp's side kept up their table-topping form on New Year's Day with a 4-2 win over Shearer's old club Newcastle, during which they also registered a massive 34 shots and set a Premier League record for expected goals.

Shearer was quite uncomplimentary about Diogo Jota's part in winning the Reds' second penalty of the night late on, which Mohamed Salah converted to seal the win.

The former forward insisted that the Liverpool forward 'dived' (despite there being clear contact from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka), also calling the incident 'embarrassing'.

However, Jota's antics aside, Shearer has been impressed by the Reds as a whole.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker said Klopp and co have 'every chance' in the title race this season.

"There is no doubt about it – they are going the distance," he said. "They will be right up there come the last weekend of the season. They are a really good team.

"[Virgil] Van Dijk is back to his best, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] is having a great time. They have an unbelievable goalkeeper and, when you have the brilliance of Mo Salah, you have every chance.

"They have game-changers which can do that coming off the bench. They have so many options."

Liverpool don't play another Premier League game until 21 January, following the winter mini-break.

Before that, however, the Reds will take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on 7 January and Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-final three days later.