Liverpool have huge advantage in title race, says Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger claims that Liverpool’s lack of European football is giving them a “huge advantage” in the Premier League title race.

The Reds are currently fourth in the table and just four points behind leaders Chelsea with 12 games left to play this season.

On a physical front, it’s a huge advantage for Liverpool

Arsene Wenger

Brendan Rodgers’ men are firmly focused on breaking back into the top four this season without the distraction of a European campaign.

And Wenger feels that the Merseyside club’s Premier League bid is boosted by their focus on just two competitions this term.

“If you win and you have no big injuries, it’s better you play competitions,” said Wenger. “On a physical front, it’s a huge advantage for Liverpool.

“But if you give them the choice – ‘would you like to play in the Champions League?’ – they have not played for seven years in the Champions League so they would say yes.”

Wenger also insisted that his Arsenal side are relishing the opportunity to put last weekend’s 5-1 thrashing at Anfield behind them in the FA Cup fifth-round tie at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

“I would say it is the first team we want to play,” he said. “When you can put things right, you want an opportunity to do that and we have an opportunity.

“We have got it out of our systems because our main frailty at Liverpool was that we conceded goal after goal in 20 minutes. On Wednesday night [against Manchester United] we came back to our usual defensive stability.

“But these guys are winners. When they lose in that way, believe me, they are hurt.”