24 November 2023 , 09:00
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Liverpool have no fear in openly declaring their title intent… even as they face a massive top-of-the table showdown with the red-hot Premier League favourites.
That is the message from new vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold as his side prepare for the pivotal visit to Manchester City this weekend, with the chance to be table-toppers up for grabs.
The top two face off in one of the biggest games of the season, and that would usually provoke caution in the media-cautious world of modern professional football. But for the talented Reds playmaker, there is no such need. He is happy to press Liverpool ’s credentials to challenge the Champions this season… and explains why with conviction.
He said: “Being in three campaigns where we’d have won the league if it wasn’t for City - we won one but went close in two more - you get a feeling for what you know you are capable of doing. Looking around the dressing room, looking at the players we have got, the team, the spirit, the vibe around the team, that [challenging for the league] is something that we feel is achievable.
“Our aim as a team is to win the league and that's the aim again this season. Last season wasn't good enough. But challenging is something that we believe we can achieve, that is where our sights are at.”
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With Liverpool just a point behind City at the top of the table after almost a third of the season has gone, Alexander-Arnold concedes that it would be easy to play down Liverpool’s title chances, especially given the dominance of their rivals.
Liverpool have begun the season well as they eye a second title under Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Yet he has sensed the new look side put together by Jurgen Klopp, with a completely revamped midfield, and a new role for him as a deep playmaker, has already taken a massive step up on the last, disappointing campaign.
He believes they are credible challengers, and explains: “If that wasn’t the case, I would be here saying, ‘I want to get back in the top four.’ Because, genuinely, there is nothing wrong with that for this team. There is a rebuild going on, and new players and a lot of senior players have left, it would be very normal to say, ‘get back in the top four and push on from there’.
“But so far we've performed in a way that is how you would expect someone who can win the league to perform and if we carry this on we should be in and around it come May.”
To do that, the England star knows that they must match the frightening consistency of City, who seem to specialise in getting stronger as the season progresses - as Liverpool themselves painfully experienced in those two epic title fights, when a point separated the two sides on both occasions.
Man City got the better of Liverpool in this fixture last term ((Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images))But he has seen enough to know the new signings have the quality to do that. “Right now we have put ourselves in a good position, we have built a great foundation - it is just about consistency.
“That’s the hardest thing in football, but we have shown that we are more than capable of doing it. I think the players who are experienced in being successful with the club all understand what it takes and what's needed to even challenge a team like City.
“It was about getting that message across as quickly as possible to the new players and young players coming in. Our ambition is to be as successful as possible and to maximise the potential we have got as a team and as a club. At the start of last season it was the same as at the start of this season: our ambition was to win the league.”