Sports pundit and Premier League legend Alan Shearer has backed Liverpool to ‘go the distance’ in the Premier League title race this season.
The Reds are currently top of the standings after 20 games of the 2023/24 season, three points ahead of second-placed Aston Villa – though Manchester City can cut the gap to two points with their game in hand.
Klopp’s side maintained their table-topping form on New Year’s Day with a 4-2 win over Shearer’s old club Newcastle, during which they also recorded a massive 34 shots and set a Premier League record for expected goals.
Shearer, however, was uncomplimentary about Diogo Jota’s part in winning the Reds’ second penalty of the night late on, which Mohamed Salah converted to seal the win.
The former striker insisted that the Liverpool forward ‘dived’ (despite there being clear contact from goalkeeper Martin Dubravka), also calling the incident ’embarrassing’.
Aside Jota’s antics, Shearer has been impressed by the Reds as a whole.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker said Klopp and co have ‘every chance’ in the title race this season.
“There is no doubt about it – they are going the distance,” he said.
“They will be right up there come the last weekend of the season. They are a really good team.
“[Virgil] Van Dijk is back to his best, Trent [Alexander-Arnold] is having a great time. They have an unbelievable goalkeeper and, when you have the brilliance of Mohamed Salah, you have every chance.
“They have game-changers which can do that coming off the bench. They have so many options.”
Liverpool will not play another Premier League game until 21 January, following the winter mini-break.
Before that, however, the Reds will take on Arsenal in the FA Cup third round on 7 January and Fulham in the Carabao Cup semi-final three days after.
