Liverpool still in control but title race warming up

LONDON : Liverpool remain in the driving seat in the Premier League title race but there are signs that instead of Arne Slot's side vanishing over the horizon in the second half of the season they could face a real battle to be crowned champions.

The leaders head to Brentford on Saturday with a four-point cushion over second-placed Arsenal and a game in hand but suddenly they are not having it all their own way.

While unbeaten in the league since losing at home to Nottingham Forest in September, a run of 16 games, they have drawn four of their last seven, having dropped points in only two of their first 13 matches.

The failure of the teams below them to take full advantage, namely Chelsea and Arsenal, and Manchester City's meltdown towards the end of last year means Liverpool still look secure.

But Arsenal's 2-1 home win over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, the night after Liverpool were held 1-1 by surprise package Nottingham Forest, has left the door ajar.

Arsenal, who are unbeaten in 11 league games and host seventh-placed Aston Villa on Saturday, look the most likely side to chase Liverpool down but Forest, who are six points off the pace have become part of the conversation.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side reeled off six successive league victories before the draw with Liverpool and should get back to winning ways this weekend as they host bottom club Southampton at the City Ground.

Newcastle United are the form team with six straight wins pushing them into fourth spot, although they are nine points adrift of Liverpool having played a game more. Eddie Howe's side host Bournemouth, who are eighth, on Saturday.

Chelsea's climb has tailed off after a five-match winless streak in the league and Enzo Maresca's fifth-placed side will