If they lose to Villa, L'pool are out of title race, says EPL icon

"If they lose on Saturday, I don't see them in the title race," Alan Shearer said, commenting on Liverpool's clash against Aston Villa tonight at Anfield.

A bit harsh remark, but when the Premier League all-time top scorer and a man who found the net 260 times in the English top flight says so, it carries some weight. Either way, the legendary Blackburn and Newcastle striker was loud and clear.

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"If they win, build confidence, they've still got the quality to go on a big run. Saturday evening is huge - another defeat, and I think they're out of it," Shearer added, speaking to Betfair via Daily Mail.

Arne Slot's crew suffered six defeats in the last seven games in all competitions - and four consecutive losses in the Premier League - but the 55-year-old didn't consider the Dutchman's job at risk.

"In terms of Arne Slot losing his job - yes, without a doubt it's an overreaction. He did a great job last year and obviously Liverpool are really struggling now."

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"I wouldn't say crisis just yet - but they're in a very sticky situation. We might have to use the word crisis if Villa beat them at Anfield on Saturday. For now, I'd say it's a sticky situation rather than a full-blown crisis," he stated.

During this horrendous spell, Liverpool beat only Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League, and lost to Galatasaray in the same competition, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Man United, and Brentford in the EPL, and once again to the Eagles in the EFL Cup just two days ago.

Speaking of that particular crushing 3-0 loss at Anfield, Shearer blamed it on the Dutch tactician and his decision to rotate the lineup.

"I thought it was a huge gamble that backfired against Palace. When you're a club already struggling and desperately in need of a result, it's risky to put out that sort of side and those substitutes."

"If you lose narrowly say 1–0 to a dodgy decision - fine. But when you're battered at home and Palace fans are singing 'Can we play you every week?', that's damaging," Shearer concluded.

Now, Liverpool fans, players, coaching staff, and management would probably disagree with the former England international that the clash against the Villans is a do-or-die match, but if they indeed lose again, things will become as hard as it gets.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 10

Saturday

18.00: (1.90) Brighton (3.75) Leeds (4.25)

18.00: (12.0) Burnley (5.80) Arsenal (1.30)

18.00: (1.95) Crystal Palace (3.65) Brentford (3.90)

18.00: (1.90) Fulham (3.50) Wolverhampton (4.60)

18.00: (3.50) Nottingham Forest (3.45) Manchester United (2.10)

20.30: (2.75) Tottenham (3.65) Chelsea (2.55)

23.00: (1.65) Liverpool (4.50) Aston Villa (5.00)

Sunday

17.00: (5.25) West Ham (4.15) Newcastle (1.65)

19.30: (1.53) Manchester City (4.80) Bournemouth (5.80)

Monday

23.00: (2.85) Sunderland (3.20) Everton (2.75)

***odds are subject to change***