Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he can “feel fear in other teams” when they come up against Liverpool, but has still backed Manchester City to lift the Premier League title.
Heading into their game against Watford this weekend, the Reds are on a nine-game winning run in the league and have moved to within a point of Pep Guardiola’s side at the top of the table . The club also face tough tests in both the FA Cup and Champions League as Jurgen Klopp guides his team through a season-defining month.
Speaking prior to Saturday’s game at Anfield, Ferdinand labelled momentum as a decisive factor in the title race. And the former Manchester United defender was forced to praise Liverpool for how they have worked to close the gap on the league leaders.
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“I think momentum is always key, especially at the turn of the year,” Ferdinand said. “You get to the back end of the season, the trophies are being handed out and it is all about that momentum and who is driving through and picking up points on a consistent basis and you can see the confidence.
“And you can see that within this Liverpool team and you feel fear in other teams when they come up against them with how they play and the way that they gain that momentum. Against anyone else, they are the favourite, but because Manchester City have that experience, because they have been here time and time again, and with Pep Guardiola, they are the favourites for me, but only just.”
Crucially, the two sides are set to meet at the Etihad on April 10, in a potential title decider . And while Liverpool have not lost a league game since December, City had dropped five points in their last four games prior to their game against Burnley at Turf Moor. However, ex-Liverpool striker Peter Crouch agreed that City are still the favourites to clinch top spot, despite now “looking over their shoulders”.
“I think the fact that they were 14 points behind and the business end of the season is so important to have the ascendency and winning games,” he told BT Sport. “Manchester City will be looking over their shoulders now. But, I still think City are favourites with their favourable run in, the game at the Etihad is so important but this month coming up for Liverpool is massive.”
