I always like to say the truth even if their fans are not happy about that’: Gary Neville says there’s something this current Liverpool have that Arsenal as a team don’t have in this title race
Gary Neville believes that Liverpool and Arsenal can’t rely on other teams and must beat Manchester City to lift the Premier League title – but admits ‘the Jurgen Klopp factor’ could make a difference.
The Reds host Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield in a top-flight showdown on March 10 as two of the in-form teams lock horns. One point separates Jurgen Klopp’s men and the reigning champions.
City cut the gap at the summit after their comfortable 3-1 win over Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium, thanks to a double from Phil Foden. Arsenal are five points behind Liverpool and four off the second-placed Manchester side but can reduce the margin on Monday away at strugglers Sheffield United.
Neville thinks that the upcoming games between the title contenders are crucial if Liverpool and Arsenal want to beat City to the title.
“I genuinely think that Liverpool and Arsenal have to think they are going to beat Manchester City,” he said. “I think they have to think that way to create that monumental shift in belief that City have that they are going to win the league.
“I always think when we lost titles whether it was Chelsea with (Carlo) Ancelotti or (Sylvain) Wiltord scoring at Old Trafford or (Mark) Overmars scoring at Old Trafford, the team that went on to win it came to Old Trafford and won. They didn’t come to Old Trafford and get a point and played okay, they came and shocked us.”
He continued: “I think that is what Liverpool and Arsenal are going to have to do to take the belief away from this Pep Guardiola team, because they will be thinking that it is ominous at this moment in time.
“Liverpool have got momentum and energy – and the Klopp factor. Arsenal at this moment are the best performing team, defensively and they’ve now started to hit their stride in attack.
“City have got the most experience. All three have got something. This is where we’ll find out about all three of them. Can City do it again and get over the line? Can Arsenal do what they didn’t do last year? They completely fell away with ten games to go. This is that moment again.
“I always wanted to see Arsenal in the same position again, with City, to see how far they’ve developed. I think they have developed, with [William] Saliba and [Declan] Rice. They’re better than they were last year and have more power.
“I can’t wait for these next couple of games because we find out really what these teams are about. City are the barometer, that’s who they have to try and knock off the perch. That’s what you have to beat them – you can’t say ‘well City might drop points at that ground’ if you’re not beating them yourself. You have to beat them if you’re Liverpool and Arsenal.”
