‘It could happen’… Gary Neville says he’s completely changed his mind about Liverpool

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Gary Neville has admitted that there is a small chance that Liverpool could win the Premier League title this season.

The Reds are currently sitting second, a point off leaders Arsenal heading into tomorrow’s top-of-the-table clash at Anfield. They’re in a good way.

And according to Neville, although they shouldn’t be considered favourites, there is hope for Liverpool. Speaking to Sky Sports, the Manchester United legend said that the genius of Jurgen Klopp could tip the balance for the Reds, something he hadn’t previously thought.

“I’ve said Arsenal are going to win the league because I’m banking on those little bits of injuries you get post-treble [at Man City], that post-treble complacency and drop-off, and I’m banking on Arsenal keeping their main players fit,” Neville says.

“I do think Arsenal are the only challengers for City. I never bought into the Liverpool thing before [last Sunday’s draw with United].

“It could happen just because of purely Jurgen Klopp, if they strengthen that midfield in January, but I feel Arsenal are a better team.”

Klopp leading Liverpool charge

If Liverpool do end up winning the league this season, then it won’t all be down to Jurgen and his quality as a coach.

Although Neville seems to have dismissed it here, the Reds do have something that Arsenal simply don’t have as a team: experience of winning.

It may be a very different group from Liverpool’s last Premier League win in 2020, but there are still a number of proven winners within Klopp’s squad.

The likes of Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah have been there and done it. Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk’s status has now been elevated to captain. With the Dutchman leading the group, Liverpool have nous aplenty.

Joe Gomez is another who’s been a big part of a winning squad, while Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz and Ibrahima Konate helped push City all the way in 2021/22, amassing 92 points.

Arsenal have a couple of title winners in their squad, but they both did it with City. Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchencko aside, the Gunners don’t have any Premier League medals between them. Even the manager, Mikel Arteta, won with City and City alone.

Obviously, that doesn’t really mean all that much if you’re able to blow the competition away. But it really looks like it’s going to be tight this year.

City could of course roar back, they won’t need much invitation to do so. If we’re focusing on who can challenge their crown most effectively, Neville is unwise to rule Liverpool out. With Jurgen and the Reds’ world-class spine, there’s always a chance. Tomorrow is huge.