Could Liverpool be title challengers after Gunners demolition?

Young winger Raheem Sterling scored twice in Liverpool’s 5-1 home win over Arsenal at Anfield

Liverpool completed an incredible 5-1 win over table-topping Arsenal at Anfield in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off.

The Reds were out of sight with four goals in the first 20 minutes of this clash. Five goals and without star striker Luis Suarez even getting on the scoresheet.

Irresistible

Much has been made of Manchester City’s ability to score goals this season, but Liverpool are not far behind them in the goalscoring stakes.

City have scored 68 Premier League goals this season and the Reds have are just five goals behind the Reds.

Going forward the Reds seem unstoppable at the moment. They have now scored nine goals in their last two home games against arch-rivals Everton and Arsenal, teams that previously had two of the best defensive records in the top-flight.

Star strikers Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez have been earning lots of praise and deservedly so at times, but only one of the goals against the Gunners came from either of the pair, Sturridge scoring the Reds fourth goal.

Centre-back Martin Skrtel got on the scoresheet twice, as did young winger Raheem Sterling. The young England international had an outstanding game, looking like a threat throughout the game. He certainly did his chances of making the next England squad no harm that is for sure.

Challengers

The victory was an important one for the Reds. Not only did the score send out a signal to the rest of the league, but it also took the Merseysider’s five points clear of fifth-placed rivals Everton in the race for the Champions League places.

In fact the win put the Reds just six points behind the Gunners in the Premier League table, with Arsene Wenger’s side facing Manchester United on Wednesday night and the Reds visiting struggling Fulham.

The win over Arsenal could just have put the Reds right back in the race for the Premier League title. Brendan Rodgers side also have some very winnable games coming up in the next few weeks.

Expectations

Rodgers has attempted to play down the Reds chances of challenging for the Premier League title this season recently. However after the thumping win over Arsenal it may be hard to play down the expectations of the Reds.

Liverpool have shown at times this season that they can produce against the big teams in the Premier League. With the attacking players currently at Rodgers disposal the Reds will be prolific in front of goal, especially with young Sterling starting to find consistent performances.

I am sure that most Liverpool fans would have taken a top four finish at the start of the season, but with their team doing so well their expectations may change once again.

Fortress

Liverpool have been very consistent this season, especially at Anfield, where the Reds have only failed to win twice this season. The Reds have beaten Everton, Arsenal and Manchester United at Anfield this season.

Anfield seems to have become a fortress again for the Reds. Last season Rodgers team threw away too many points at home, with poor performances hampering their progress. This season only Southampton have won at Anfield and only Aston Villa have gained a draw at Liverpool.

Consistency

Rodgers side have been very consistent in recent weeks and that run has seen the Reds put themselves clear of their rivals Everton and Tottenham. A few weeks ago the race for that fourth-place was very tight.

However, their rivals will have to put together a good run of results to catch up with the Reds. Tottenham host Everton on Sunday in the early kick-off, in what could be a key game in both sides season. Neither team can afford to lose the clash.

Progress

Whatever happens between now and the end of the season Liverpool have made major progress this season. A top-four finish this season would be a good result for the Reds, but more importantly belief in their team and manager is growing.

It will be difficult for the Reds to win the Premier League title this season, but the way Brendan Rodgers side are performing I would not completely write-off their chances of being champions.

Could Liverpool be realistic title challengers after Gunners demolition?