‘They won’t go away’ - Alan Shearer issues Brighton verdict amid Liverpool and Chelsea title claim

Premier League legend Alan Shearer believes Brighton will push Arsenal all the way in the battle for the title.

The Seagulls are second in the league standings, five points behind leaders Arsenal and one point above third placed Manchester City.

Liverpool are four points adrift of Brighton in fourth place and Xabi Alonso's inconsistent Chelsea are further back in fifth.

The uncertainty surrounding Manchester City and a possible points deduction all adds to the mystery of the title race.

Shearer though has been impressed by Brighton and feels they have the squad and talent to last the distance.

Incredible Brighton

"Brighton could be Arsenal’s main challenge to the title this season," said Shearer to Betfair.

"I think Liverpool are in transition. Chelsea, same thing. They still have plenty of work to do with those football clubs.

"Brighton have been incredible. The football that they're playing, I mean, in Europe too, whether that will hinder them the longer the season goes on I don’t know, but they're managing really well at the minute.

"I don't think they're going to go away. I think there'll be around for the majority of the season."

No title race for Brighton

However, Albion’s influential midfielder Pascal Gross dismissed title talk after lat Sunday’s 2-0 win against Brentford at the Amex Stadium.

The 35-year-old German, who has started every match al all competitions for Brighton this term, said: “No, we are not in a title race.

"But we have started the season really well. It’s the beginning of the season.

“You see the Premier League, the margins, you look at the results – we are not getting carried away yet.

“Every game we have to suffer a lot. Sometimes it is momentum. But we are really pleased to head into the international break like this.”

The Seagulls resume action after the international break at Hull City on November 22.