Gary Neville backing Liverpool glory after outlining major City weakness

Gary Neville TEAMtalk

Liverpool will have renewed confidence they can defend their Premier League title this season after witnessing Man City’s home collapse to Leicester, according to Gary Neville.

The Foxes ran riot at the Etihad, with Jamie Vardy a thorn in their side as Leicester ran out 5-2 winners.

It’s the first time in Pep Guardiola’s managerial career that one of his sides has conceded five goals in a single game.

He outlined the immediate improvements he wants to see from his side in their next game against Leeds.

City’s defeat was so bad that it led Neville to proclaim that Liverpool will now back themselves to retain the title.

He also thinks Guardiola faces the toughest task yet in his managerial career as a result.

“They were so good in the opening 25 minutes but as soon as Leicester broke on them a couple of times, you felt that, psychologically, it just damaged them,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“Some of the wounds from last season are reappearing. The bugs that cost them the title. Certainly, you can get at this Manchester City back four a lot quicker that you could previously. They don’t seem to react in transition higher up as they did.

 

“He [Guardiola] has set the standard. Is it fair to say that as he stands on the touchline here today with no title last season, he has got the biggest job that he has probably ever had in football at this moment in time, to win the title again.

“He could go two seasons without it because they do look well behind Liverpool compared to what we saw at Stamford Bridge last week.

“We know the standard that Liverpool are setting. When you think of the business they have done in the last week. I know it is early but Liverpool will be watching this game and they will gain in confidence from this. You do.

“It is not that they will be thinking they are going to win the league because City are not at it. There is a long way to go. But when you see your main rivals losing like this, it just gives you encouragement. It makes you feel stronger.”

 

Souness backs Liverpool to romp to title

Pep Guardiola

Graeme Souness is also confident Jurgen Klopp’s side will run away with the title again this year after witnessing City’s defensive shambles.

City are poised to add Ruben Dias to their defensive ranks to the cost of £50m.

Guardiola, however, does not think that alone is enough to halt Liverpool’s charge.

“Liverpool won by 18 points (last season). Liverpool in my opinion have strengthened big time,” Souness told Sky Sports.

“I look at City now whether Ruben Dias comes in, it’ll have to be more than Dias to take City from 18 points behind Liverpool to getting in front of them. Liverpool are stronger today than they were 12 months ago. That’s a marker, when you look at what City have shown.

“After all the teams we’ve seen that can challenge, it’s Leicester after today but we’re three games in. Some players need five or six (games) to get up to speed. But right now, I think Liverpool could run away with it.”

 

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