By the time that Liverpool got back from Aston Villa, Arne Slot was already trying to be composed about a game that could really have gone either way.
Liverpool’s draw at Aston Villa was not a disaster, but it heightens the tension around Sunday’s trip to rivals Manchester City as the title race enters a new stage.
Slot will be aware of how acutely important that is for Liverpool right now, since talk of the title itself could turn to something else, something bigger.
It’s as easy to argue that Liverpool could go 10-plus clear as it is that the gap could be cut to four or less.
“If Liverpool win it, currently the mindset is it replaces the one we didn't get to celebrate, the league winning party we never got to have.
