GERRY & THE PACE MAKERS

LEICESTER legend Gerry Taggart believes the Premier League title is up for grabs like never before.

And the ex-Northern Ireland star (below) insists the table-topping Foxes are better equipped to finish first this time than when conquering the English elite five years ago.

Back then Claudio Ranieri’s team, who had narrowly escaped relegation 12 months earlier, defied 5,000-1 odds to claim the ultimate prize.

Now, with six wins from their opening eight games and a one-point advantage over the chasing pack, the early pacesetters are threatening a repeat of that glorious feat.

Having already thrashed Manchester City at The Etihad and beaten Arsenal at The Emirates, Brendan Rodgers’ troops travel to Liverpool next Sunday bidding for a third Big Six scalp.

Little wonder Taggart, 50, senses something special is brewing at the King Power again – and that taking out Jurgen Klopp’s champions would rubber-stamp their title credentials.

“The game at Liverpool can be a real marker for the Leicester team,” said the ex-defender, who made 142 appearances for the Foxes from 1998 to 2004.

“They’ve already won at City and Arsenal. Can they now go to Anfield and beat the champions? If they do, then everybody must start taking them seriously as title contenders.” Much of Taggart’s optimism stems from the way Rodgers has assembled a group containing an excellent mix of experience and youthful talent – including summer teenage recruit Wesley Fofana. He added: “In terms of all-round quality, right across the pitch, it’s stronger and better than the one that won the Premier League.

“And the title race this year is the most open I can remember, definitely way more open than in 2016.”