Trent Alexander Arnold has admitted that Liverpool may have gifted the title to reigning champions Manchester City.
The Reds went into last weekend in second place and level on points with Arsenal, while having a narrow one-point advantage over Man City.
However, Jurgen Klopp's side went on to lose 1-0 to Crystal Palace as Man City cruised to a 5-1 win over relegation-threatened Luton Town.
Arsenal's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday ensured that the Citizens finished the weekend at the top of the table and with a two-point cushion over their title rivals.
© Reuters
Man City in pole position
Alexander-Arnold has admitted that allowing Man City to move into pole position is almost as good as giving them the title.
"Arsenal experienced it, we've experienced it two or three times, when you get into a title race with Man City they are borderline perfect," Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports News.
"You can't slip up or make mistakes. If you give them the upper hand they don't really blink in those moments. They don't seem vulnerable. It's a well-oiled machine. That's what they do, they click and there's no stopping them.
"Giving them this advantage with six games to go is almost like handing them the title. All we can do is hope someone does us a favour and get our goal difference up.
© Reuters
Liverpool still in the hunt
With the title race in Man City's hands, Alexander-Arnold insists that Liverpool's main focus will be on winning each of their final six games against Fulham, Everton, West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
"We've got six games left, it'll fly by," the full-back added. "Our aim is to win every game - that's all we can and try to capitalise.
"It will be difficult but I've seen over the last few weeks of odds and percentage chances of who is going to win the league has fluctuated with just one result. Anything can happen in the Premier League.
"They [Man City] are a fantastic team with the squad they've got, the manager, it's hard to think they won't win it at this point. Stranger things have happened in the Premier League."
Alexander-Arnold returned from injury to feature as a substitute against Palace and start Thursday's Europa League clash with Atalanta BC.
The full-back is now poised to make his first Premier League start since February 10 when Liverpool travel to Craven Cottage for Sunday's meeting with Fulham.