Roy Keane disagrees with Michael Owen's view on Arsenal chasing down Liverpool

Roy Keane was ready to crown Liverpool as Premier League champions despite Michael Owen claiming Arsenal may still have a chance in the race for top spot.

After Mikel Arteta's side surprisingly stumbled at home to West Ham United losing 1-0, the Merseysiders travelled to Manchester City with anticipation and confidence. First-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai saw Arne Slot's side cruise to a 2-0 victory over the defending champions.

It was a win which underlined Liverpool's superiority and extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to 11 points. Owen stated the Gunners may have a slither of an opportunity if they miraculously win all of their next 12 matches in a row and take their tally to 89 points – which will be a tall order without a recognised striker.

Yet, Keane disagrees with the ex-Liverpool and Manchester United striker, stating nothing will now be able to stop Slot's side from lifting the title at the end of the campaign.

On Sky Sports after the first half at the Etihad, Keane said: "Liverpool have been excellent. You’re looking at the champions there, it’s been a brilliant weekend for them so far.

"They just can’t relax now – get the job done. I love watching the brutality of top-level sport. Manchester City have been fantastic the last few years, been amazing, but you’re looking at Liverpool now – the new champions we’re watching, they’ve been amazing.

"So efficient, and there’s more goals in them. Won the most games, scored the most goals, enjoyable to watch."

Meanwhile, speaking to Premier League productions, Owen refused to name his former side as this year's champions yet. He said: "You’re going for a title and Liverpool have stumbled in the last couple of weeks.

"I know you’ve got injuries, but you’re at home against West Ham and you’ve still got a good team out there. You’d think they would find a way, but the West Ham goalkeeper was hardly worked today. They could still be out there now and they wouldn’t have scored.

"It’s disappointing for the Arsenal fans and now they’re going to need to ask for a lot of help from other teams. Liverpool have been absolutely brilliant this season, no one can deny they deserve to be top. We’re all looking at the run-in and wondering if Arsenal can do it.

"Now Liverpool need 29 points out of 26 which is not a banker still, it’s not a banker. But that’s assuming Arsenal go unbeaten and that’s the hard thing because they’re struggling for firepower. But they’ve got to aim for that because anything less and you’d think Liverpool would do it.”

Last year, Arsenal won 16 of their last 18 matches, but still finished two points behind City at the end of the campaign. If the north Londoners win their next 12 Premier League matches in a row, they will finish with 89 points, the same number they amassed last season.

To win the title, they would also need Slot's side to drop 11 points along the way. Considering the Reds have only lost one match all season, Arteta's hopes look to be slim at best.

Up next on Wednesday evening for Liverpool is a visit from fifth-placed Newcastle, who they also face in the Carabao Cup final next month. Meanwhile, Arsenal face another tricky test away at third-placed Nottingham Forest the same night.

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