Alexander-Arnold admits Liverpool have effectively 'handed Man City the title'

Trent Alexander-Arnold admits that Liverpool have effectively handed the Premier League title to Manchester City following last weekend’s defeat to Crystal Palace. 

The result allowed City to ease into the lead in the title race, with Arsenal also losing last Sunday to Aston Villa at home. 

The Gunners have since recovered their composure, beating Wolves on Saturday night to retake top spot, but the fate of the title is now in Pep Guardiola’s hands. 

City have played one game less than Arsenal, sitting one point behind, and, if they continue on their current form, should be able to wrap up a sixth title in seven years. 

Chasing City down in the race for top spot is a feeling well known to Liverpool, with Jurgen Klopp's team putting up a record-breaking 97 points in the 2018-19 season but still finishing second and racking up 92 points in 2021-22 and again finishing runners-up. 

Alexander-Arnold, 25, played a key role in both campaigns and knows what a slip-up at this stage of the season does against a City team in form. 

The Etihad side are unbeaten in the Premier League since early December, losing to Aston Villa, and have won their last three on the trot since consecutive draws against the Reds and Arsenal. 

Trent: We need a favour

"Arsenal experienced it, we've experienced it two or three times, when you get into a title race with Man City they are borderline perfect,” the England international told Sky Sports.

"You can't slip up or make mistakes. If you give them the upper hand they don't really blink in those moments. They don't seem vulnerable. It's a well-oiled machine.

"That's what they do, they click and there's no stopping them. Giving them this advantage with six games to go is almost like handing them the title. All we can do is hope someone does us a favour and get our goal difference up.

"We've got six games left, it'll fly by. Our aim is to win every game - that's all we can and try to capitalise. It will be difficult but I've seen over the last few weeks of odds and percentage chances of who is going to win the league has fluctuated with just one result. Anything can happen in the Premier League. 

"They are a fantastic team with the squad they've got, the manager, it's hard to think they won't win it at this point. Stranger things have happened in the Premier League.

"Maybe it's the right moment we became a hunter again - who knows."

Liverpool will be hoping to put pressure back on Arsenal and Man City at the top of the table, starting with three points this afternoon against Fulham.