Premier League: Phil Thompson says there's no pressure on Liverpool in title race

The Liverpool players have exceeded all expectation this season

Phil Thompson does not feel there is any pressure on Liverpool as they look to win their first title for 24 years.

Brendan Rodgers' side have exceeded all expectations this season to lead the Premier League table by two points with six games remaining - a huge improvement on their previous campaign, which saw them finish 28 points behind winners Manchester United in seventh.

Their main rivals this campaign are second-placed Chelsea and Manchester City, who are four points behind but have two games in hand.

Both sides visit Anfield this month for fixtures that are likely to go a long way to deciding the outcome of the title race and former Reds defender Thompson believes Rodgers' team can play without fear for the remainder of the season.

People will say that this might be the best year to win it, and I accept that, but if it didn't come right and we didn't win it, it won't knock me as I think it has been a fantastic season. Phil Thompson

"For me, there is no pressure on these lads as they have given us a fantastic season," Thompson told Sky Sports.

"I don't want to get carried away too much and think we should be winning it because the transformation in this club, this team and this fan-base is incredible.

"We should embrace the fact we will be playing Champions League football again next year.

"People will say that this might be the best year to win it, and I accept that, but if it didn't come right and we didn't win it, it won't knock me as I think it has been a fantastic season."

While already satisfied with what Liverpool have achieved already in Rodgers' second season in charge, Thompson sees no reason why they cannot go on to cap it with the title.

"There could be a banana skin around the corner as Chelsea had at Crystal Palace last weekend but with Liverpool at the moment you don't feel as though you are seeing that, because of the way they are playing," he added.

"It is hard to see where they could lose games. It doesn't matter that it is Manchester City or Chelsea coming to Anfield. They have the ability and the confidence.

"To win titles, your home form has to be excellent and that is what Liverpool have. Anfield is becoming a fortress again, which it hasn't been in the last few years.

"But they have also been excellent away from home. They are not just grinding out results, they are beating teams quite easily."

You can see all of Liverpool's games this month, starting with their fixture at West Ham on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.