Gary Neville names two teams who could trip Man City up in Liverpool title battle
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville believes Manchester City has a more difficult run-in to the Premier League title than Liverpool.
According to Neville, the two sides drew on Sunday, thus Pep Guardiola’s side remains top of the standings, but they may slide up against Watford and Leeds.
The game concluded 2-2 at the Etihad Stadium, with Kevin De Bruyne scoring in the fifth minute for Guardiola’s side before Diogo Jota leveled things up eight minutes later.
City regained the lead in the 36th minute when Gabriel Jesus avoided Liverpool’s offside trap and converted from close range.
However, only a minute after the half-time break, Sadio Mane was slid through by Mohamed Salah and hammered his effort past Ederson.
The draw keeps City top of the Premier League table with seven games remaining; however, Neville believes Liverpool may have the advantage because City must play two relegation-battling teams.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he explained: “In the cup competitions, anything could happen. In the Premier League, we’ve looked at City and thought that’s an easy run-in but actually, that’s because we’re looking at (Liverpool’s games) Merseyside derby and Manchester United.
“In an ordinary season, those games would be tough, but those two teams are appalling, they could be easier than any of the teams than any of the teams Manchester City have got. Watford are fighting for their lives, Leeds have to win games, and Newcastle away (for Liverpool).
“You look at Liverpool’s run-in, Merseyside derby, Tottenham – you think it’s a tough run-in but it’s not. I’d rather play Manchester United and Everton at home than West Ham away.” Jurgen Klopp’s side will certainly be pleased to hear that they may have the upper hand with seven games to go.
The two sides will square off in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend, with the winner taking a lot of confidence from the contest.
However, it raises an important point about the impact of cup events on the last months of the season.
Both teams are still in the Champions League and will face midweek meetings between now and the end of the season, with City and Liverpool winning their respective first-leg ties.
Given that both Klopp and Guardiola’s clubs have dreams of winning the European championship, those high-intensity, taxing matches could make the difference when it comes to playing – as Neville argues – against opponents who have plenty to play for just a few days later.
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Gary Neville names two teams who could trip Man City up in Liverpool title battle
