Liverpool still seen as the team most likely to overhaul Man City despite Chelsea fightback
- Paul Okey
- 3 January 2022
Blues remain in second after fighting back from 2-0 down to hold Reds but see odds to win title drift out to 33/1.
Top of the table on December 1, Chelsea now trail Man City by ten points and all is not well behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel has already admitted the Blues can't compete in the title race due to the number of COVID cases and injuries they have suffered. It followed his criticism of the "crazy" festive schedule and smacks of a manager looking for excuses.
And to compound their perceived shortage of players, Romelu Lukaku was left out of the squad to face Liverpool amid comments he made to the Italian Press. The Belgian striker said he was "not happy" with the situation at Chelsea, had problems with Tuchel's system of play and he had former club "Inter in my heart".
Tuchel reportedly spoke to senior players before dropping Lukaku, who had scored two in two prior to his omission and the duo are set for showdown talks on Monday.
Liverpool are not in a much better position themselves, having taken just one point from the festive period to see Manchester City disappear into the distance.
The draw with Chelsea and a defeat to Leicester, coupled with the COVID postponement of their game with Leeds, has seen their odds drift to 10/1 to regain the title.
Jurgen Klopp was absent for the clash with the Blues having contracted COVID-19, while the Reds will have to navigate the remainder of the month without Mohamed Salah, Naby Keita and Sadio Mane who have departed for Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Their dramatic injury-time win over Arsenal on Saturday was their 11th victory on the bounce and 13th in 14. Pep Guardiola's side are now 1/12 to retain their title (from 1/8).
