JAMIE CARRAGHER believes only an injury crisis can stop Liverpool from winning the Premier League title.
The Sky pundit has backed his former team to pip Arsenal to top spot in May.
Carragher spent his entire 17-year career with Liverpool, appearing over 500 times for the club.
The 46-year-old never lifted the Premier League trophy during his time at Anfield.
But he believes Arne Slot’s juggernaut are all but unstoppable this season, fresh from another thumping win on the road against West Ham.
Writing in The Telegraph, Carragher claims “Chelsea are not quite ready to become champions.”
He goes on to predict that “Liverpool will pip Arsenal into second place.”
Carragher adds: “My only worry for Liverpool is if they pick up injuries to their big players.
“If they can avoid them, they will be difficult to catch.”
The former England defender also believes Manchester City will put their recent dismal form behind them and finish fourth.
Pep Guardiola’s men won just their second game in 14 matches against Leicester on Sunday.
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On the other side of Manchester, Carragher is not convinced Ruben Amorim‘s Man Utd revolution is yet to get out of the planning stage.
The Portuguese coach has seen his team win just four times in 10 games, along with five defeats.
Carragher said: “Ruben Amorim has a bigger job with a blank canvas.
“He will need more time and patience, especially in getting underperforming players on big contracts out of the club.
“What is happening at United right now is to be expected – a few good results mixed with reminders as to why they needed a new coach.”
Despite United’s woes on and off the field, Carragher is convinced Amorim is the right man for the job.
By Ken Lawrence
WOLVES landed a shock Boxing Day knockout as Manchester United’s struggles continued.
The 2-0 defeat means Ruben Amorim has won just two of the seven Premier League games he has taken charge of.
United find themselves 14th in the table and today were not helped by Bruno Fernandes’ red card and Andre Onana letting one in direct from a corner.
Here is how SunSport rated the performances…
ANDRE ONANA: 4
He needed to make an agile save from Jorgen Strand Larsen in the first half, but badly misjudged the flight of Cunha’s corner for the opening goal – his claim that he was obstructed by Matt Doherty was rejected.
LENY YORO: 5
Recalled but booked after only four minutes for a foul on Cunha, so he was walking on eggshells and was tested by Wolves throughout. Subbed just after the hour mark.
HARRY MAGUIRE: 6
The England defender did his best to keep United in the game when they were under pressure for long periods – at least he helped to stem the tide until the dying seconds and had a header on target in stoppage time.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ: 6
Teamed up well with Maguire to stop Wolves from winning this more easily, he stood his ground and produced some important challenges in the latter stages before Wolves caught him on the break with the last action of the game.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI: 5
Tenacious and determined, but was one of several players given a torrid time by the best player on the pitch – Cunha.
MANUEL UGARTE: 5
Dispossesed too easily at times, struggled against a lively Wolves attack and was eventually taken off as one of Amorim’s subs following Fernandes’ red card.
KOBBIE MAINOO: 5
Looked a threat early on, created some good openings, but he was booked after the break as United looked short on ideas. Faded and was subbed.
DIOGO DALOT: 6
Brought a tremendous save from Jose Sa in the first half in what was a rare bright spot for United – but he had no major influence on a poor team display.
AMAD DIALLO: 5
Lacked awareness of his team-mates sometimes and looked a shadow of the player who turned the Manchester derby around less than two weeks ago.
BRUNO FERNANDES: 3
Sent off early in the second half for a second yellow after a challenge on Nelson Semedo, but the captain had cut a frustrated figure before that.
RASMUS HOJLUND: 5
Became visibly annoyed at times at a lack of service from his team-mates, he had no joy up front and was subbed with 10 minutes left.
SUBS
Casemiro (for Mainoo, 63 mins): 6
Christian Eriksen (for Ugate, 63 mins): 6
Antony (for Yoro, 63 mins): 6
Alejandro Garnacho (for Amad, 79 mins): 5
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 79 mins): 5
He reckons the Red Devils will be a “better, more consistent team by December 2025, especially when Amorim has a full pre-season and new players to implement his ideas.”
Carragher was also asked to name his Champions League winner – but hedged his bets.
The 2005 winner believes either Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Liverpool or Real Madrid will lift Big Ears come May.
He added: “No one wants to draw Real in the knockout phase because it does not matter how poorly they are playing, they always find a way to get through.
“Bayern also look good and are always in contention by the latter stages.
“And then, of course, there is Liverpool, who have a 100 per cent win record so far.
“They are the four sides everyone else will want to avoid.”
