Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink names the ‘only’ team that can catch Premier League leaders Liverpool

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has named the ‘only’ team that can catch Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Liverpool have been the standout team in Europe never mind England this season, pulling six points clear of their nearest domestic rival and winning all six of their Champions League fixtures.

Arne Slot’s side have lost just once this season to open up a healthy gap at the top of the table that will be extended further if they win their game in hand against Merseyside rivals Everton.

Arsenal are currently second in the Premier League as they look to finally lift the title under Mikel Arteta, who has been pipped by his former club Manchester City over the past two seasons.

The Gunners do not look as strong as they did last term, however, and have dropped points in nine of their 20 league games, including last time out against Brighton.

High-flying Nottingham Forest are level on points with Arsenal as we enter the second-half of the season, only losing four times to emerge as surprise contenders for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea looked set to be Liverpool’s biggest rival for the title just last month as they produced an impressive set of results in the first-half of the campaign under new boss Enzo Maresca.

But the Blues picked up just two points over the festive period and suffered shock defeats to Ipswich Town and Fulham to slip 10 points adrift of Liverpool.

In-form Newcastle United have climbed to fifth after winning five games in a row and sit one point above defending champions Manchester City, who are set to relinquish their stranglehold over the title for the first time since 2020.

Liverpool were the last team to beat Man City to the title and look on course for a 20th Premier League triumph, although Hasselbaink insists the race is ‘not over yet’.

‘I don’t think the title race is over yet,’ the former Premier League striker and England coach told BetMGM.

‘Yes it’s going to be hard [to catch Liverpool] but if Arsenal, and it’s only Arsenal in my eyes, can go on a run then you never know.

‘Liverpool will go through a sticky patch, it always happens. It’s then a case of how close can Arsenal get to them?

‘When the Champions League gets bigger and more competitive, it’s going to be harder for Liverpool to maintain things.

‘So, yes, I do think there is still some movement although Liverpool are very much in the driving seat with that game in hand.

‘Arsenal have no room to draw or lose matches now. Their mindset just has to be three points – almost business like – and that’s the only way they will put pressure on Liverpool.’

Arsenal’s dip has renewed the debate over Arteta’s options up front, with the likes of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus blowing hot and cold this season.

But Hasselbaink added: ‘I don’t think Arsenal need a new striker. Kai Havertz has been playing that position really well and if they can get back to keeping clean sheets, they’ll be fine.

‘Yes, they are a little bit too dependent on their set pieces at the moment, but if Gabriel Jesus can keep scoring regularly I think they’ve got enough in terms of a goal threat.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.