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And it would surprise few if the gusts came from some Liverpool supporters flapping in the wake of the latest chapter in an increasingly-engrossing Premier League title race.

The manner of Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa was sufficient to prompt an immediate post-match meltdown in the minds of, at least on social media, a significant number of fans.

Fingers were inevitably jabbed in the direction of Darwin Nunez after the substitute's poor miss late on.



But there was a forensic dismantling of almost every section of the team - from goalkeeper Alisson Becker through to the forward line - which, to the uninitiated, would have suggested Liverpool had dropped into the relegation zone rather than moved eight points clear at the Premier League summit, albeit having played a game more than nearest rivals Arsenal.

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Such has been the way for much of the last few years in which Liverpool have been challenging for the championship, even when romping home in 2019/20 at one stage 25 points clear.

And for one very good reason: Manchester City are no longer part of the title conversation.

An underwhelming first half to the season has ensured Pep Guardiola's side, rather than aiming for a fifth successive Premier League crown, are instead scrapping to ensure they qualify for the Champions League having been dumped out of the competition this week by European Super League advocates Real Madrid.

Indeed, City are currently a whopping 17 points off Liverpool having already lost seven Premier League games this season - only one fewer than their previous two campaigns combined.

The Etihad side, of course, can still have a say in the destination of the title, given they host the Reds on Sunday.

Last month Arsenal thumped City 5-1 at home having drawn 2-2 away, while Liverpool won 2-0 against the champions at Anfield in December.

But even if Arne Slot's side drop points at City - and given Liverpool haven't won a league game at the Etihad for almost a decade, that would not be a shock - there shouldn't be any call for panic among supporters.

The Gunners aren't even as good as their own iteration last season, having rarely completely convinced this term and now hampered by having their first-choice forward line sidelined for the foreseeable.

Don't forget, it was only a month ago Arsenal let slip a two-goal lead at home to Aston Villa to draw 2-2, putting Liverpool's result in midweek into some sort of perspective.

The chances of Mikel Arteta's side winning all 13 of their remaining Premier League games are very slim.

And if they do achieve such a feat - having already won their last three - to chase down and overhaul Liverpool, they would be deserving champions regardless of how the Reds end the season.

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After the weekend, seven of Liverpool's final 11 top-flight games are at home.
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