Micah Richards has weighed in on what he believes could disrupt Liverpool’s march toward the Premier League title this season.
Liverpool continued their impressive campaign with a dominant 2-0 win over Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.
Goals from Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah sealed the victory, extending Liverpool’s lead at the top of the table.
The Reds are now 11 points ahead of City, who have hit a poor patch of form, going seven matches without a win across all competitions.
With Arsenal and Chelsea trailing nine points behind as Liverpool’s nearest competitors, Richards argues that the title race may already be slipping out of reach for their rivals.
He highlighted that Liverpool’s success under Arne Slot, who has guided the team to an incredible 18 wins, one draw, and just one loss since taking charge, has made them formidable.
However, Richards noted that Liverpool’s momentum could face a significant challenge if injuries hit their key players, particularly Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Richards elaborated on the importance of these two players to Liverpool’s title charge.
“If they were to lose Salah or Van Dijk, it would be a completely different story,” he stated.
“We often talk about how big players influence the game—take Odegaard and Saka for Arsenal or Rodri and De Bruyne for Manchester City.
Salah is phenomenal; even on an off day, he finds ways to make crucial contributions that change games.
As for Van Dijk, he’s the cornerstone of their defense, keeping things organized and solid at the back.”
Richards continued to emphasize just how vital the duo is to Liverpool’s success this season. “Salah and Van Dijk staying fit is key.
If they avoid injuries, I can’t see anyone stopping Liverpool from clinching the title,” he added.
According to Richards, Salah’s ability to deliver in decisive moments and Van Dijk’s commanding presence in defense give Liverpool an edge over their competitors, even when their overall performance isn’t flawless.
Arsenal and Chelsea, though relatively close in the standings, are still playing catch-up, and Manchester City’s ongoing struggles have widened the gap at the top of the table.
Richards believes that Liverpool’s current form, combined with the impact of their star players, makes them the clear favorites.
However, he acknowledges that football can be unpredictable, and losing key players like Salah or Van Dijk could alter the trajectory of the season.
