Ex-Liverpool star agrees with Man Utd icon over Reds' title chances

Ex-Liverpool goalkeeper David James is still tipping Arne Slot’s men to be contenders for the Premier League title – a sentiment echoed by former Manchester United striker Teddy Sheringham. Kicking off with an ironclad start to Slot’s first season in charge, Liverpool won their initial three games, including a convincing 3-0 victory over arch-rivals Manchester United, without letting in a single goal.

Despite the strong beginnings, Liverpool faced a reality check as Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal in the 72nd minute secured a 1-0 win for Nottingham Forest at Anfield during their last league clash, delivering a blow to the Reds’ early championship aspirations.

Nevertheless, this setback hasn’t swayed former Liverpool keeper James, who stands firm with Sheringham in his conviction about the promising debut season the Dutch manager will have after stepping into the shoes of the iconic Jurgen Klopp.

At the beginning of the season, Sheringham pinpointed three main teams with title-winning potential at Ladbrokes’ ‘Gaffer of all Accas’ launch: “I think there’s three teams capable of winning the title this year. Man City, Arsenal and, while I was unsure about them, with the new manager coming in, I think Liverpool will be up there.

“Arne Slot seems to have settled in very nicely,” added Sheringham, a former United player with over 150 appearances. “I loved his way of talking. He mentioned Jurgen Klopp in a really clever way; he acknowledged that the fans loved Klopp, he said he loves him too, and he assured the supporters he wouldn’t be changing a lot.

“His approach, and his acknowledgement of Klopp, is the perfect way to keep his players, and the supporters, on side. They’re definitely in the title race.”

However, Forest ended Slot’s winning run, and with both Arsenal and Pep Guardiola’s City remaining unbeaten, they’ve already fallen behind. Despite this setback, James remains confident in Sheringham’s prediction, viewing the defeat as a valuable lesson, reports the Mirror.

“I don’t think the result against Nottingham Forest was a reality check for Liverpool’s title aspirations this season, but it was definitely a blip,” James told SafestCasinoSites.

“To win the Premier League, you have to have 90 points. That’s what it takes to win the title and that will be the benchmark, so, in theory, you can afford lose eight games, you just have to win the other thirty! Nice and simple.

“I wonder if dealing with the international break and all of the disruption that brings is something that Arne has to learn from. That can be an issue because your best players are away from the club for 10 days and they can lose that intensity from the training ground.

“I was so impressed with the way Liverpool started the season, but they were a little bit ponderous against Forest.

“I can only put that down to the international break. Slot’s had a good start and he’s clearly a talented coach and manager. Managing his players after the break will be something that he has to deal with and I’m sure he will.”