William Gallas believes Liverpool will return to challenging for the top-flight as the Frenchman claims the Reds' comeback against Arsenal was crucial in the title race.
The Gunners led for most of the Premier League season with Manchester City battling behind them looking to retain their crown at the summit of English football. Mikel Arteta's side had a feeling Liverpool, and their fans, know all too much about after the Citizens pipped them to the title in 2019 and 2022 by the barest of margins.
Nottingham Forest's 1-0 win over Arsenal sealed Pep Guardiola's third consecutive Premier League title. And now former France international Gallas has claimed Liverpool's comeback at Anfield changed the complexion of the title race.
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"I do think that the result against Liverpool was the crucial moment in the title race," he said speaking to Genting Casino. "If Arsenal beat Liverpool, I’m certain that they would have gone to West Ham and won.
"Winning at Anfield would have given the players and this team so much confidence, they would have felt unbeatable. All of the doors would have opened for Arsenal.
"When you are on top of the league, playing at Anfield, 0-2 up, you know that if you win that game, you will send out a serious message to Manchester City.
"I think that if Arsenal won that match, Manchester City’s players would have had to accept that Arsenal were favourites to win the title. I think that psychologically, that would have had a huge effect on the title race – and I know what I’m talking about because I have been there as a player. That is the starting point where everything started to go wrong."
This season Jurgen Klopp's side have fallen below expectations as their European fate was sealed after United brushed past Chelsea. Preparations for the upcoming campaign will now feature plans for the Europa League as the Reds tackle the competition for the first time since their final defeat in 2015/16.
However, with a busy summer scheduled at Anfield, Gallas believes the disappointing season will be a blip and City will have Liverpool on their coattails again. He added: "I think that even if Arsenal’s players come back with the right mentality, even if they start the season well, we know that Manchester City will be there.
"Liverpool will be there. Manchester United will be there. It will be a lot more difficult to win the title next season for Arsenal. Even Chelsea could be there – they will change a lot of things and can only improve. Arsenal have to start from the beginning."
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