'I'm a Man Utd legend – I think Liverpool will have something to say in the title race'
Liverpool's untimely slip-up against Nottingham Forest raised slight doubts over their title-challenging capabilities this season, but one of their rivals' all-time greats still thinks they have a shout
by Ben Crawford · The MirrorLiverpool have a squad capable of challenging for the title this season, says Manchester United icon Paul Scholes.
Arne Slot kicked off his attempt at filling Jurgen Klopp's boots impeccably this term, winning each of his first three Premier League ties without conceding a goal - and putting their rivals United to the sword 3-0.
Yet, many cast doubt over their position as genuine contenders for the title when Callum Hudson-Odoi's strike saw Nottingham Forest steal all three points during their visit to Anfield. Though Slot's men bounced back to beat Bournemouth 3-0 in their last league outing, the demeanour of both Arsenal and Manchester City makes it difficult to pick anyone else for the crown.
Red Devils icon Scholes is doing just that, however, tipping the Merseyside club to at least have a dog in the fight when May rolls around and push comes to shove.
"I think Liverpool might have something to say about the title race this year," Scholes told The Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet. "When I look at their forward players, I think they have five or six good players."
With a roster of attacking talent, including in-form Luis Diaz, Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota, Slot already inherited a potent forward line before the recruitment of Federico Chiesa.
The 26-year-old Italian joined the Reds in a cut-price deal from Juventus this summer and made his debut in the side's 3-1 away win at AC Milan in the Champions League. He adds yet another option for Slot as part of a squad in which Scholes see's little frailty.
"Seeing Liverpool first-hand, what a squad of players, I see very little weaknesses," Scholes continued. "The only one we thought about was possibly if Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konaté got injured in the centre half position."
Stalwart Joel Matip recently left the club after his contract wound down, and while Joe Gomez can provide cover in the position, the only other centre-half part of Slot's side apart from his two first-choice enforcers is youngster Jarell Quansah.
Alongside the lack of defensive reinforcements, Scholes admitted that the Forest blip has raised a handful of alarms bells when the Reds' title hopes are concerned, but as a former playmaker himself, took time to commend Slot's midfield department.
"I see their squad, the five or six midfield players who can all run and are great athletes with quality. You then look at the forwards, and they can all play. The only worry was the Forest game, that threw me."
Slot himself has been coy when asked about how he feels his team will fare in a title battle, but revealed before the season what he felt his goal was during his debut campaign.
"You always have to see the qualities of them (title rivals)," Slot stated. "We know the qualities of them but where they are at the moment, how they improve and if they improve and the same for us. Every season brings in new challenges for everyone. It is too early to say where are we, if we are up there, above them or beneath them.
"That question can be answered in the best possible way after five, six, seven or eight games. Where we know where we are and where the other teams are. It is clear what our aim is – our or aim to close the gap and not to make it any bigger than it was in the last two years."
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