By Louis Sealey

Copyright metro

Six-time Premier League winner Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)

Rio Ferdinand has named the ‘team to beat’ in the Premier League after a weekend in which Arsenal snatched a dramatic win and Liverpool suffered their first defeat.

Despite not being at their very best, defending champions Liverpool took a maximum 15 points from their first five games of the season.

That run included multiple late goals but Liverpool’s fortune finally ran out on Saturday as they conceded an injury-time goal to lose 2-1 at Crystal Palace.

Federico Chiesa looked to have earned Liverpool a point with an 87th-minute equaliser after Ismaila Sarr’s early opener at Selhurst Park.

But Eddie Nketiah did his former club Arsenal a favour by scoring a dramatic winner for Palace to end Liverpool’s unbeaten run.

Arsenal, runners-up in the Premier League for the past three seasons, were desperate to take advantage of Liverpool’s slip-up but also looked set to suffer defeat as they trailed Newcastle United at St James’ Park following Nick Woltemade’s first-half header.

Mikel Arteta’s side dropped points in two of their previous three games but avoided more disappointed thanks to a stirring late comeback, with Mikel Merino and Gabriel both scoring headers in the final ten minutes.

Arsenal came from behind to beat Newcastle (Picture: Getty)

The results over the weekend leave Liverpool just two points clear of second-placed Arsenal after six games, with Manchester City and Chelsea both currently outside the top-four places.

Arsenal are in fact the narrow title favourites with the bookmakers, who have clearly been struck by the Gunners’ more than respectable form during a tricky start to the season.

Ferdinand believes Arsenal’s victory over Newcastle was ‘massive’ but still rates Liverpool as the favourites to retain the Premier League trophy.

‘This was a massive, massive shift in mindset and belief,’ Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel when asked about Arsenal’s comeback win.

Crystal Palace stunned Liverpool at Selhurst Park (Picture: Getty)

‘They answered a lot of the critics out there. To go to Newcastle and win is huge because if they draw that game or lose that game questions would be asked.

‘I’m not saying they will win the league but there’s moments in the season that you draw inspiration from. Newcastle isn’t an easy place to go.

‘That game means so much to that team because there was so much riding on it, they had to capitalise on Liverpool dropping points.

‘Liverpool are the team to beat. They are. They’re the champions, they have the most experience, you’ve got to watch them. They’re the team everyone will have to chase.’

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Ferdinand’s former Manchester United teammate Gary Neville, meanwhile, believes it is already clear that only Liverpool and Arsenal are capable of winning the title.

‘Mikel Arteta has got a brilliant squad,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast after watching Arsenal’s comeback win at St James’ Park.

‘He’s got a brilliant squad, I think he’s got the best squad in the league and maybe the best team in the league and I say that quietly because Liverpool are excellent.

‘There’s only two teams who can win this league – Liverpool and Arsenal – I don’t think anyone else can.

‘So I think it’s a big moment. It’s only September and it’s ridiculous to be speaking like this as someone who experienced title races.

‘But what you’ve got to do is send out some calling cards and some clear messages that you’re there in the title race and I think that’s what Arsenal have done today.’

Liverpool will look to get back to winning ways in the Premier League against Chelsea next weekend, while Arsenal play host to London rivals West Ham.

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