Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Jacob Leeks & Kadeem Simmonds

'An absolute joke' - Gary Neville makes Liverpool squad claim and delivers new title prediction

Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville has credited Liverpool for making the Premier League title race a close but tipped Man City to 'just edge it' when it comes to lifting the title in May.

The race for the Premier League was deemed over in some quarters back in December, when Man City had a commanding league and the Reds faced some tricky games in January without stars Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, who were representing their national sides at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

But eight straight wins in the league has allowed Jurgen Klopp's side to move within three points of City.

READ MORE: Mohamed Salah has just said exactly what Liverpool need to hear right now

COMMENT: VAR has obvious next step after bad Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle decisions

The two meet in a mouth-watering clash next month at the Etihad.

For Neville, Klopp's talent as a manager alongside Liverpool's amazing squad has given them a chance to lift their second title in three years but ultimately, the former England defender believes City will win it.

"I wouldn’t say it’s 50/50, Man City do just edge it," Neville said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show.

"You think about where they were, AFCON, Salah and Mane going away for a month, I thought that City would be out of sight.

"You thought City were going to win the league at a canter and they’ve not done and that’s credit to Liverpool, credit to the players, the signing of [Luis] Diaz in January and the fact they’ve got a great manager who is able to drag that level of performance out of them week in week out."

Much of Liverpool's success has come from Mane, Salah and Roberto Firmino continuing their form over the past few years into this season.

But Diogo Jota has stepped up when called upon and January signing Luis Diaz has settled in immediately, giving Klopp another weapon up front.

Neville heaped praise on the Reds quintet, singling out the newest addition.

"Liverpool have got five players up front who are an absolute joke. And Diaz, saw him for the first time live at the Carabao Cup final and I couldn’t believe what I was watching for a player who had just entered English football. He’s absolutely sensational."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.