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The persistent theory that Liverpool’s dominant Premier League campaign stems from diminished competition has been starkly contradicted by Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique.

Detractors have increasingly argued that Liverpool’s 13-point lead reflects a diluted Premier League rather than the Reds’ excellence.

This narrative gained traction despite Arne Slot’s squad defeating every top-half opponent at least once and maintaining Europe’s second-best defensive record.

Critics pointed to Manchester City’s transitional phase and Arsenal’s injury crisis as evidence of a subpar title race.

The theory faced its sternest test this week when seventh-placed Aston Villa pushed Champions League favorites PSG to the brink.

Despite trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Unai Emery’s team dominated the Parisians at Villa Park, registering nine shots on target – the most PSG have faced in this season’s competition.

Although they beat the Parisians 3-2 on the night, it was not enough to turnover the first leg deficit.

And speaking to reporters after the game, manager Luis Enrique has admitted that his side suffered against the 7th-placed team in the Premier League – even going as far as to claim his side has not been ‘dominated’ as the Villains did at Villa Park:

“It is a match that lived up to all expectations,” said Enrique as quoted GFFN.

“An exceptional start to the match but the end of the first half did not please me at all.

It wasn’t at the level of expectations that the Champions League demands.”

“We conceded two goals in three minutes and after that it was very hard – lots of suffering […] I don’t think that we have never been dominated so much.”

Surviving against England’s seventh-best team required every ounce of their €1B squad’s quality.

For Liverpool to dominate such an environment, where even mid-table sides field Champions League-caliber players, their impending title deserves recognition as a triumph of consistency, not circumstantial fortune.

The Premier League’s strength lies not in its top teams alone, but in the relentless challenge posed at every turn?

As Slot succinctly noted: “Surviving 38 rounds here demands more than any other league”.

Villa’s European heroics have merely exposed this reality to Liverpool’s detractors.

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