Liverpool backed for Premier League, Champions League double as Nottingham Forest title verdict delivered

Arne Slot's men are still on the hunt for their first top-flight win of 2025 after dropping four points against Manchester United and most recently Forest, whom they are only six points clear of in the Premier League table.

Sandwiched in between the two Northern hopefuls is Arsenal, who reduced the deficit to Liverpool to four points by coming from behind to sink North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in midweek, although Slot's team still have a game in hand.

Speaking exclusively to Sports Mole, Pennant - who was also born in Nottingham and briefly represented Arsenal - insisted that Forest must be considered genuine challengers for the crown, but the Reds remain the outright favourites.

"Forest are considered serious contenders, you can't rule that out," Pennant said. "They're on merit, not luck. They've been playing some great football. If they continue on the path that they're going, then they're absolutely contenders.

Pennant: 'PL title is Liverpool's to lose'

"Arsenal now, yes. The thing is with the league at the moment, there's going to be teams dropping points here and there. I don't think any team now is going to go on a 15 or 18-game winning streak.

"Some teams will drop points, some teams will draw games with the big teams. Arsenal have got to go to Anfield. That could be a six-pointer. They've got to go to Nottingham Forest, which is no easy game. So, they could drop points there. Liverpool have got a game in hand over Arsenal, so they could go seven points clear.

"They're back in the hunt, but Liverpool are still favourites. It's there for them to throw away, for them to lose. But this little period, these two games have brought Arsenal back in the mix. It could have been 12, 13 points at one stage, but we are going to see the points difference change over the course of the season 100%."

Few anticipated the seismic impact Slot would have on Liverpool after stepping into Jurgen Klopp's shoes, especially after Reds fans were rolling out the red carpet for Xabi Alonso to take the reins after the German announced his shock exit.

The former Reds midfielder ultimately chose to stay loyal to Bayer Leverkusen, but Slot has been smashing records left, right and centre since taking charge, and he could potentially end the season with a quartet of honours.

Liverpool are also top of the Champions League league phase table and strolled into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-0 win over Accrington Stanley at the weekend, although they have work to do in the EFL Cup semi-finals after losing 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg.

"Disappointment" if Liverpool miss out on Premier League, Champions League

As the Reds challenge for glory on four fronts, Pennant has affirmed that he would be saddened to see Liverpool miss out on a Premier League and Champions League double this season, even though he did not anticipate Slot masterminding such a magnificent first season.

"I think the position that they're in now, if they don't win the Premier League, everyone will be disappointed," Pennant said. "To be where they are, it's a great chance, great advantage. Potentially seven points clear if you win the game in hand.

"And the way they're playing, it's Liverpool's to throw away. So if they don't win the league, then yes, every Liverpool fan will be disappointed. If we don't win the Champions League, then yes, we'll be disappointed.

"I think the way we started this season, if we don't come away with anything, then it's a disappointment. If you'd asked me that at the start of the season, I would have said, 'you know what, no,' it's Arnie Slot's first season. Let him get his feet under the table and build his squad. We'd probably accept that. But the way we are now, it would be a disappointment."

Pennant turned out 81 times for Liverpool between 2006 and 2009, prior to which he collected a 2005 FA Cup winners' medal during his time with Arsenal under Arsene Wenger.

Jermaine Pennant was speaking to Sports Mole on behalf of William Hill

Written by

Ben Knapton