Liverpool the outright title contenders

Liverpool are four points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Chelsea suffered a shock defeat against Fulham on Boxing Day

Liverpool have been told the Premier League title is theirs to lose after rivals Chelsea suffered an agonising last-gasp defeat against Fulham in the Premier League.

The Cottagers have proved to be stern opposition for top sides this season, with Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham among those to only manage a draw against them in recent weeks. Chelsea started brightly at Stamford Bridge as Cole Palmer put the hosts ahead in the first half, but former Liverpool winger Harry Wilson found an equaliser after the break.

Substitute Rodrigo Muniz then scored a late winner for Fulham, which means Chelsea remain four points behind Arne Slot's side ahead of this evening's meeting with Leicester City. Liverpool then extended their lead to seven points with a win over the Foxes side at Anfield.

Liverpool conceded first as Jordan Ayew gave Leicester the lead, but goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah ensured another three points for the Reds. While Liverpool dropped points earlier this month against Newcastle United and Fulham, they beat Spurs in emphatic fashion last weekend to ensure they spent Christmas at the top of the table.

But former Chelsea and Fulham midfielder, Steve Sidwell, believes it is the relentlessness of Arne Slot's side that makes the Reds firm favourites to win the title this season - with the pundit saying it is 'theirs to lose'. "There’s a big difference between Chelsea and Liverpool," the pundit told Amazon Prime after the match at Stamford Bridge. "Liverpool, at the moment, are a relentless machine and you can see the gulf.

"What you can guarantee with this Chelsea squad, from the beginning of the season to now, they’ve improved. I think from now until the end of the season they will improve again.

"They are slowly going about their business. For me, it’s Liverpool’s [title] to throw away. Now, the next one in line is Chelsea. They are there or there about."

Chelsea have an opportunity to get back to winning ways against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Monday. Liverpool, meanwhile, must now prepare for a tricky away game at West Ham on Sunday evening.