Former Liverpool star Ray Houghton is of the opinion that the top six or seven teams are still realistic contenders for the Premier League, thereby not ruling Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United out of the title race.
Chelsea currently sit atop the Premier League table with 31 points from 13 games, followed by Liverpool and Manchester City, who both have 30 points; the Reds occupy second spot owing to their superior goal difference.
Arsenal are fourth in the table with 28 points, with their north London rivals Spurs, who saw their unbeaten record in the Premier League this season ended by Chelsea last weekend, sitting fifth with 24 points.
Sixth-placed Manchester United have 20 points, while Everton are seventh in the table with 19 points.
And Houghton, who insisted that the title race is much closer and tougher this season, refused to rule out Spurs and Manchester United as Premier League contenders, with 25 rounds of fixtures still to be played.
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“Six or seven teams are realistic contenders for the title”, he said on LFC TV when asked about the title race.
“You still have 25 games remaining, so that’s 75 points you are looking at.
“It’s about consistency and showing good form week in and week out.
“Last season only one team averaged more than two points per game, it was Leicester City.
“Now look at the top four, they are averaging over two points already. Can they sustain that? It will be interesting to see.
“Tottenham have lost only one game, but look where they are. They find themselves at fifth spot at the moment.
“So lots of good sides there, lots of points to be played for, and I think the top four, five, six, seven, eight, I don’t know in which order they will finish, but it will be a fascinating Premier League this time around.”
Currently just 12 points separate Everton, who are seventh in the table, from leaders Chelsea.
