Steven Gerrard has admitted Liverpool's decisive head-to-head with Manchester City this weekend is 'too close to call' as the sides prepare to battle it out at the Etihad Stadium.
With only a single point separating the sides, the margin for error is minuscule. Defeat for either team is likely to have huge implications on their respective Premier League title ambitions as the end of the season edges closer.
In what could be another dramatic race for top spot that goes down to the final day of the campaign, just as it did during the 2018/19 season, a Liverpool legend could have the final say on which side prevails as league champions.
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Indeed, an Aston Villa team led by Steven Gerrard will make the trip to the Etihad Stadium on May 22 as part of their final fixture of this term. It goes without saying how the Reds' legend will want the season to end, though he also has huge respect for the Sky Blues.
“I don’t think they’ve got any choice than to have respect for each other. They are both world class operators, managers. They have both been very successful and they both manage two of the top teams in the world so I think that leaves you with no choice but to have that instant respect," said the 41-year-old at his press conference today.
“I think it’s a wonderful game for everyone to watch at the weekend, but my priority is Aston Villa v Tottenham and my full focus is on that game. I’m only really interested in the outcome of the game I am involved in, but I hope that we’re in a position where we get a good, positive, strong, home performance, the outcome that we want and I can sit and watch it on Sunday like everyone else.
“It is a mouth-watering game, of course it is. It has been a fascinating title race and it’s a game that everyone is looking forward to. I’m no different. Yes [it’s too close to call]. You’ll all know what outcome I would like, but I think you have to respect City: they are at home, it’s a really tough game for Liverpool as well. I’d be guessing at the outcome of the game because it could go either way for sure."
