Liverpool are now two points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola now ramping up the pressure on Jurgen Klopp’s leaders

Liverpool have taken control of the Premier League title race thanks to a win over Brighton and Manchester City’s draw with Arsenal.

The Reds now have a two point lead at the top of the division, with nine games of the campaign remaining.

With time running out for his side to catch Jurgen Klopp’s side, Pep Guardiola has named the Merseysiders favourites.

Pep Guardiola has named Liverpool the favourites to win the title

Guardiola’s side were left frustrated in their clash against the Gunners and the Spaniard conceded his team face an uphill battle. His prediction comes as Klopp demanded his side keep their foot on the gas for the final stages of the season.

And with Xabi Alonso ruling himself out of replacing Klopp, Roy Keane has raised doubts over Liverpool ‘s likely alernative. Here, Mirror Football rounds up all the latest Liverpool news.

Guardiola makes title prediction
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has insisted the Premier League title is Liverpool’s to lose after his side and Arsenal drew a blank in their showdown. he Reds are now three points clear of City in the table.

And asked if Liverpool were now favourites to lift the title, Guardiola said: “Yes. First is always favourite, second is Arsenal and we’re third. It’s not in our hands. Aston Villa is the next game, so try to win it. It’s simple.

“We take the point. We tried. We didn’t create much, they didn’t create much. They defended very compactly and had a lot of quality and physicality. As a team, we’re still there.”

Read Guardiola’s full thoughts on the title race.

Promoted Stories
Klopp issues demand

Jurgen Klopp has demanded his side make it a perfect end to the season (
Image:
Sky Sports)
Jurgen Klopp has demanded his Liverpool side produce a perfect run in the final nine games of the season. The Reds are currently top of the table after beating Brighton on Sunday at Anfield.

“That is the first of the last 10 games, let’s keep going. We deserved to win the game. We just have to win our games and see where we end up. We dominated against them like we have never done before,” Klopp said.

“It was a difficult game, a good performance and a fantastic result. It’s a great situation the boys have got us into – we are there with two other teams, fighting for the biggest prize in English football and we will try to enjoy it.”

Keane raises De Zerbi doubts
Roy Keane has expressed doubts about Roberto De Zerbi replacing Klopp at Liverpool, questioning the lack of trophies he has won as a manager. De Zerbi has surged into contention after Xabi Alonso pulled out, though Keane is unsure he is the right man.

“Every manager is different, he’s his own personality and that’s a big plus to him,” Keane told Sky Sports. “Sometimes when a manager is asked these questions you hope he makes a commitment to the club, I suppose there’s a bit of honesty there and he’s not sure where his future is.

“It’s a concern for Brighton over the next few months and years with what they’re planning. I look at his CV and there’s question marks if he is ready for that step yet, for Liverpool I’ve got my doubts. His teams play a lovely brand of football but I still have doubts about what he’s won to take that job.”