'What cost them' - Fabio Aurelio makes Liverpool title…

'What cost them' - Fabio Aurelio makes Liverpool title race prediction and Champions League claim

Former Liverpool defender Fabio Aurelio expects his old club to still challenge for the title this season despite their slow start to the campaign.

The Reds have drawn half of their games so far after a stalemate against Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Saturday. Although both sides had plenty of chances to win the game.

Liverpool currently sit seventh in the table, six points behind leaders Arsenal and five behind reigning champions Man City. But despite their slow start, which includes a defeat against Manchester United, Aurelio still expects his old side to be in the hunt for the title.

“Just as we've seen in the past few years, regardless of the start they've had, I expect Liverpool to be fighting all the way for the title,” he exclusively told Ladbrokes: Fanzone.

“Last season was an exceptional one, which saw them playing in three cup finals and a title race, and I think that amount of games is ultimately what cost them the Champions League and the Premier League.

"So I'm expecting Liverpool to maybe focus more on those two competitions - the ones they missed out on - this season. It's a huge challenge, especially in the league as more and more teams are showing they can fight for the title now.

“But I'd expect Liverpool to very much be up there in the title race by the end of the season.

“Every game in the Premier League is tough, and we're really seeing that this season, so for Manchester City and Liverpool to do what they have done over the last few years is a huge credit to Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, losing just a few points over the course of the season.”

The former Brazil international then continued, saying: “We're only a few games into the season but I've been really impressed with Arsenal, and they're a team we should be paying attention to.

“Obviously I knew Gabriel Jesus was a really good player from his time at Man City, but I didn't expect him to fit in so well at Arsenal; he's been so good and he's shown us even more in the last few weeks of what he's capable of doing than he did during his time at City.

“As far as how I see the top four looking at the end of the season, you cannot imagine Man City and Liverpool not being in there. Then I think it's Arsenal who must be the third option from what we've seen so far. It's early days and their calendar hasn't been the most difficult, but you have to win games, and that's what they've been doing.

“And then I think Manchester United will make up the top four. They had such a bad start but they put in an incredible performance against Liverpool and their season has almost kickstarted from that moment.

"Their additions have been so good, in particular Casemiro and Antony. I think it'll be those four who'll make up the Champions League spots.”

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