Former Ireland captain Kenny Cunningham expects Liverpool to keep growing their lead atop the Premier League rather than be chased down by Leicester or Manchester City this season.
Cunningham was on Friday's OTB AM to preview the weekend's Premier League action and noted how Liverpool have looked irrefutable even without the injured Fabinho.
"I said I don't think it would be any loss at all," the former Birmingham and Sunderland defender said of the Brazilian midfielder's injury.
"That's not because I'm talking down Fabinho – he's a very good player.
"The last couple of games, two clean sheets with Henderson in that holding midfield role. There was no drop off whatsoever and I didn't expect there to be."
While Fabinho has been one of the stand out players of the season for Liverpool, Cunningham explained that the midfielder's injury has actually enabled the blossoming of Henderson behind the advanced Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
"In fact, Henderson dropping in there gives the opportunity to introduce Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain a little bit higher up the pitch.
"That's the beauty of Liverpool: the strength of the squad. Particularly in those central midfield areas now, he's got some really good options in there.
"Keita is looking to be hitting a bit of form and Oxlade-Chamberlain is getting that match fitness back and he's shown the quality, that's why Klopp's brought him into the team.
"This Liverpool squad is getting better and better, even with the existing squad of payers they are still improving year in year out."
Mental Strength
Cunningham also gave his opinion that Liverpool's biggest asset heading towards the second part of the season was their mental determination.
"I don't think they'll be caught. I didn't think they would be at the start of the season so clearly I haven't changed my mind.
"The argument is coming stronger that they will probably put more distance between themselves and the chasing pack rather than Manchester City reeling it in.
"The fact that they collectively haven't been performing at their best, it doesn't matter because the mental strength of this team is absolutely so powerful and for me, that's what's going to see them through.
"They are just so focused, relentless, they just won't let this title go it's almost a collective will amongst the players that, 'you know what the quality doesn't matter we are going to win every game by hook or by crook to win this league title.'"
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