Arne Slot points to Man City's dramatic collapse as he downplays Liverpool's title chances despite going seven points clear with a game in hand

Arne Slot has told his Liverpool team to use Manchester City’s collapse as a warning that their comfy cushion at the top of the Premier League could fall apart very quickly if they are not careful.

The Reds came from behind to beat Leicester on Boxing Day as goals from Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah helped Slot’s men move seven points clear at the top of the table after second-placed Chelsea lost earlier in the day.

And Slot said the speed in which City tumbled from leaders to seventh should be a stark warning. ‘If you are in this game for a long time, you know 20 games before the end, you don’t look at the table,’ he said.

‘It was only one month ago we were one point behind City and look what has happened. This can happen to any team. It is far too early to be celebrating. You’ve been at all these games like me and there have not been many easy wins.

‘That tells you how difficult it is to win if all of your players are available. We just have to take it one game at a time.’

Meanwhile, Slot’s compatriot Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Leicester boss, was satisfied with his team’s performance and said: ‘I knew the challenge ahead when I came in four weeks ago. Of course, the challenge is there as a promoted side.

Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw with Everton and now find themselves 14 points behind the leaders, having held a point advantage over the Reds at the start of last month

‘Looking at reaching the finish line by the end of May, we need to be just above that relegation zone and safe. That is our belief and what we work towards.’

Van Nistelrooy dropped goalkeeper Danny Ward from the squad after he was booed by his own fans in the loss against Wolves and the boss said: ‘The conversation with Wardy was impressive.

‘It is really tough what happened to him, we are professionals but we are human beings as well.’