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Stewart Downing believes winning the Premier League would silence Liverpool critics.(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Former Liverpool winger Stewart Downing believes winning the Premier League will silence the critics after their double disappointment in the Carabao Cup and Champions League.

By the time the two rivals kick-off, Liverpool's lead at the top-flight summit could have been reduced to nine points with Arsenal hosting Fulham on Tuesday.

The Reds will be looking for a response after they and the Dutchman came under fire in light of the Europe elimination and their disappointing showing at Wembley on the eve of the international break.



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Downing admitted that he had been left "deflated" by recent showings from the Premier League leaders but insists that no one will talk about their frustrating exits if they see out their lead at the summit.

"I think I feel a bit deflated with the last few weeks, but they [Liverpool] could still win the Premier League, and that's Arne Slot's job right now; to remind everyone of the job that still needs to be done," he exclusively told Ladbrokes.

"He'll be saying to them "listen, lads, we can win the Premier League here".

They've lost, what, one game in the Premier League to Nottingham Forest at the start of the season, when Slot was still finding his feet.

As for the Champions League, I'll be honest, PSG have shocked a few people - they've definitely shocked me.

In the first leg, I thought they were fantastic, but Liverpool snatched and grabbed a win."

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Dowing added: "But in terms of Liverpool in the league, now, they've got that 12-point gap, and a lot will depend on Arsenal's results too, because they haven't been consistent enough up to this point, but it's in Liverpool's hands, and they've come from nowhere, really, you've got to say.

"Everyone was talking about the two-horse race between Arsenal and Man City at the start of the season, but that just shows you what a great job Arne Slot has done.

"I like him a lot, his personality and his demeanour are great.

Listen, if they win the Premier League in his first season, no one is going to be thinking about the other competitions, because that's an unbelievable achievement in itself."


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