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Liverpool may not be champions but already there are those who, even unintentionally, are undermining their possible potential coronation.

But had Arne Slot wanted evidence of why the Reds “only” winning the Premier League this season would be a fantastic achievement, events at Craven Cottage certainly weren’t what he had in mind.

A shocking first-half display gave the visitors far too steep a mountain to climb after the interval and put a rare dent in their title challenge by ending their proud 26-game unbeaten league run.

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And it served as a reminder that far from being a procession, Liverpool have had to work incredibly hard to open up the 11-point lead at the summit they maintain over nearest challengers Arsenal.

The gritty manner in which the Reds dug out a draw against Fulham at Anfield back in December when down to 10 men for the most part had been highlighted by Slot as key moment in the campaign, a realisation these players had the character to build on their strong start to the season.

However, the opening 45 minutes here in the return fixture against the rampant Londoners demonstrated what happens when the Reds fall short of their usual standards in terms of commitment and endeavour.

While Slot afterwards dismissed talk of complacency, there had to be some reason why Liverpool were so far off their level before the break – although, as the Reds boss readily admitted, that is an issue that has been creeping into his team in recent outings.

With Arsenal having dropped further points at Goodison the previous day, perhaps the pressure had subconsciously been eased on the Reds players

That’s human nature.

But Liverpool would be wise to ignore the outside chatter in which talk has gone from if the title is coming to Anfield to rather when

It doesn’t matter where, when or how.

Of course, Liverpool’s commanding lead means this loss, only the second in 31 Premier League games this season, should cause any real harm.

Even the very best teams have an off-day, and Slot and his players have enough credit in the bank to be forgiven a stinker, although a third defeat in four games in all competitions will be a concern

Liverpool still have work to do.


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