- Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League after beating Chelsea
- Micah Richards believes the Reds are now real title contenders this season
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Micah Richards believes Liverpool are real title contenders after their win over Chelsea.
Arne Slot’s side returned to the top of the Premier League on Sunday after a 2-1 win over the Blues at Anfield.
Goals from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones saw the Reds continue a good start to the season and Richards says they can go all the way this season.
The former Manchester City defender told Sky Sports: ‘Liverpool are a challenger now, there’s no doubt about that. The way they can see a game, the way they can adjust the game.
“I really believe they have the opportunity to go all out this year.”
Liverpool defeated Chelsea at Anfield thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones
Micah Richards believes the Reds are real title contenders after their win on Sunday
He added: ‘I think he (Slot) has brought a bit of calm. Defensively, Liverpool look a lot solid.
Under Klopp, the football he played was great to watch at times, but as a defender you could sometimes be exposed in that system. The timing in which the defenders fall back and push up is a lot more balanced.
“You always have players at the top of the pitch who can win games for you, so that’s what you can do defensively and that’s why I believe they are challengers this season.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge has backed Liverpool to claim the big prize, saying: ‘At the moment I think it would be very difficult for me to think that Liverpool couldn’t go further.
‘I just go for Liverpool because they play beautiful football.’
‘It was a brilliant match. Chelsea played more than their part. It feels like the first big game for Slot at Anfield,” said Jamie Carragher.
‘They needed the crowd to get over the line. Liverpool weren’t at their best but still found a way to win.’
Liverpool took the lead just before the half hour mark through a penalty from Mohamed Salah, after Levi Colwill brought down Curtis Jones.
Arne Slot’s men have returned to the top of the Premier League after the victory
Jamie Carragher has praised Liverpool’s ‘first big result at Anfield’ under the Dutch manager
Chelsea leveled three minutes after half-time thanks to Nicolas Jackson’s clinical finish.
But Jones put the ball past Sánchez to regain Liverpool’s lead just three minutes later and earn his side all three points at Anfield.