Gary Neville believes Liverpool have a major advantage over Manchester City which will make them a “real threat” in the Premier League title race.
City maintained their six-point advantage over their rivals as they eased past Manchester United at the Etihad on Sunday. Kevin De Bruyne’s first-half double and Riyad Mahrez’s second-half brace saw Pep Guardiola’s side brush aside their neighbours, and it could have been much more.
Since suffering their defeat to Tottenham last month, City have gone on to win all of their subsequent games as they’ve managed to remain ahead of Liverpool. The Reds had narrowed the gap at the top to three points at one point, and still have a game in hand in order to do the same again.
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With the two sides meeting at the Etihad next month, the encounter looks set to have a huge impact on the title race, with neither team looking likely to drop points along the way. It’s certainly not the first time City and Liverpool have been locked in a tussle for the title over the last few years.
Aside from last season, Jurgen Klopp’s side have been the Blues’ closest challengers for the last few campaigns, and have been the only side to break up their dominance in the league. And, as this season’s contest looks set for a thrilling climax, Neville feels the Reds’ forwards could give them a big advantage.
“Liverpool have, I think, the better front players in their squad and in their team,” said Neville on his Sky Sports podcast. “I really believe that.
“You look at Mane, Salah, Firmino, Jota, Diaz and Origi. I think there are six players there that really are a massive threat. Three or four of them are out of this world and a couple of them are world-class.
“And that makes them a real threat towards the end of the season.”
Liverpool’s frontline certainly do pose a major threat to City’s hopes of making it back-to-back titles. The Premier League’s top three scorers this season all come from Anfield, with Mohamed Salah (19), Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane (both 12) leading the way.
But having put their defeat to Spurs firmly behind them, City looked back to their best against United on Sunday. Next month’s meeting at the Etihad looks set to be a thrilling encounter which could potentially decide the destination of the Premier League trophy.
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