Bookmaker Betfred has paid out on Liverpool winning the Premier League, despite there still being more than a quarter of the season to go.
The Reds enjoyed an excellent weekend in the title race, taking full advantage of Arsenal's surprise loss to West Ham by beating Manchester City to move 11 points clear at the top of the standings.
It would take a collapse of catastrophic proportions now for the Premier League trophy not to end up on Merseyside for a second time in six seasons, which is exactly why some bookies have already started paying out on Arne Slot's men winning the league.
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Betfred founder Fred Done, who is a die-hard Manchester United fan, famously paid out on United to win the league in 1998 when the Red Devils were 12 points clear of Arsenal - but went on to regret that decision as the Gunners took advantage of some poor United results in the run-in to claim the title.
Despite his allegiance to red side of Manchester, he will be hoping he doesn't end up regretting paying out on Liverpool winning the league. He said: “As a lifelong Manchester United fan, it pains me having to pay out on Liverpool winning the Premier League title for a second time. After this weekend’s results, I believe the writing is on the wall and Liverpool will win the league this season in convincing fashion. To anybody who’s backed them to win the title with us, go and collect your money.”
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, though, is remaining grounded — in public, at least — as he suggested that the quality of the Premier League meant that the Reds' lead at the top of the table is not as significant as it would be in another country.
"In every other league, having a lead like this would be very comfortable, except for this one," Slot said after Liverpool's win at City. "We are in a good position but we also know how hard it is to play against Wolves. Now we play Newcastle, we played 3-3 over there, which in my opinion was also a good result, but we also experienced how difficult that one is.
"We work every single day to achieve this and it is three months of very hard work to maintain this. There is no secret. We are 11 points clear but Arsenal has one game in hand.”
