Anfield legend writes off Slot's Liverpool as Premier League crown contenders

Liverpool have yet another pundit to disprove as they return to Premier League action this weekend, with a home fixture against Nottingham Forest.

The Reds have been scheduled for the Saturday 3pm slot and a capacity crowd is expected at Anfield, as Arne Slot's men look to extend their 100- per-cent start to the campaign.

Critics who predicted a drop-off in form following Jurgen Klopp's departure are already starting to eat their words, after watching Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah and co put Ipswich Town, Brentford and Manchester United - admittedly three easy opponents - to the sword in August and the first weekend of September.

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But while a former Liverpool favourite admits to being pleasantly surprised by Slot's start to life on Merseyside, he doesn't believe the Reds will improve on Klopp's third-placed finish last season and seriously challenge Manchester City and Arsenal for the Premier League crown.

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Steve Nicol knows what it takes to end the season at the summit of English football, having been a key player in four of Liverpool's record-breaking haul of First Division championships, in 1983/84, 1985/86, 1987/88 and 1989/90.

And while the domestic game on these shores has changed significantly since then, not least with the advent of the Premier League in 1992/93, the ex-Scotland international is still well qualified to comment on a team's title credentials.

Speaking on ESPN in the United States this week, Nicol said: "I am a little surprised, I've got to say. I didn't think Liverpool would be quite so smooth this season.

"Other than the first half at Ipswich, they've been really smooth. But I think it's a little early to to say they're going to be competing for the title to be quite frank with you.

"I think it's between City and Arsenal, but the three of them are absolutely, no question, clear of the rest."

The Double-winning defender added on Slot's Liverpool team: "It's great that they're looking good, it's great everybody thinks that they're going to compete. But I'm not quite ready yet to have them as title contenders.

"No question they'll be in the top four, I think that'll be comfortable for them. But I don't believe right now Liverpool will win the title."