Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has raised doubts over his former side with their crucial clash with Manchester City on the horizon.
Just one point separates the two sides at the top of the Premier League table as it stands, with Pep Guardiola’s side holding the advantage at the moment. But that could all change come Sunday afternoon when the two sides meet.
A victory for either team would make them firm favourites to lift the trophy at the end of the season. But despite the Reds winning their last 10 league games, Carragher has concerns over whether they are capable of going toe to toe with City.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “I think both Alisson and Virgil Van Dijk have been fantastic for the last couple of games because during that time Liverpool have just been getting the job done. I go back to the 6-0 win over Leeds, and that was a vintage Liverpool display, but it hasn’t been happening for the past couple of games.”
City head into the match on the back of a 2-0 victory over Burnley, but they have struggled on several occasions in their last few games. But even still, Carragher said of Liverpool: “I think they will have to improve their performance level if they want to get the result that they want at Manchester City.”
The match on Sunday is viewed by many as title-deciding, though there are seven other matches after the fixture where either side could slip up. Manchester United legend and Derby County boss Wayne Rooney is also in agreement with the importance of this weekend’s clash.
He said: “The game on Sunday could decide where the title goes because the two teams, I don’t think any of them are going to drop points. They both might be the two best teams in Europe at the moment and I think City’s response to Liverpool winning the early kick-off was massive and that is what champions do. When there is a pressure game, they take that pressure away and now they have a very testing game coming up on Sunday.”
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Of course, being a former Everton and Red Devils player, it is certainly hard for Rooney to pick who he would rather win the league. But asked who he thinks will lift the trophy, he replied: “I wish none of them to be honest. I think it could go either way. I think Liverpool are on a great run of form just as Manchester City have, but I think Liverpool can go to Manchester City and win.”
Both the Reds and City have Champions League first-leg quarter-final clashes on Tuesday night which will certainly influence both teams’ preparations for the match. Jurgen Klopp’s side travel to Portugal to take on Benfica in a match where many will expect them to routinely beat the Primera Liga side, whereas City have a more competitive match against Atletico Madrid at the Etihad Stadium before turning their attention to their title rivals.
