Neville claims Liverpool won't win Premier League and could 'fall off with the pretenders'
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has suggested that Liverpool could ‘fall away with the pretenders’ in the race for the Premier League title, with a belief that Jurgen Klopp’s side won’t become champions this season.
Liverpool grabbed a point against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium thanks to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s late equaliser, following Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal in the first half.
The result sees City remain at the top of the table ahead of their opponents by one point, however both teams could see Arsenal go into first place if they beat Brentford this weekend.
Speaking on Sky Sports before Liverpool’s game, Neville insisted Klopp’s side could ‘potentially be champions’ in the coming seasons but he suggested that the next few months could see a lot of ‘pretenders’ fall away.
“These next four months are where the pretenders fall away. I don’t think we’re watching champions in Jurgen Klopp’s team but we’re watching a team that could potentially be champions in the next couple of years,” Neville said.
Neville’s comments were met with disagreement by his fellow pundits Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards, who both felt Liverpool could mount a title challenge even if City were considered favourites to retain their crown.
City drop points while Liverpool pick up injuries
City dropped points for the second Premier League game in a row, opening the door for Arsenal to leapfrog them, while Tottenham and Aston Villa also remain in touching distance for a title push.
However, Haaland extended his run as the Premier League’s top scorer this season, netting his 14th goal in 13 games, four more than Mohamed Salah, who assisted Alexander-Arnold’s leveller.
For Liverpool, despite the precious point gained, it is now just three wins in their last seven Premier League games and Klopp could have to deal with an injury to goalkeeper Alisson as well as Diogo Jota.
Jota was subbed off early in the second half with a muscle problem while Alisson pulled up in injury time, with Klopp lamenting after the game: ““We lost Diogo with a muscle but Alisson as well — as he felt something. That's not cool at all”.