Liverpool are top of the Premier League until at least tomorrow, after beating Burnley 2-0 yesterday.
The Reds have navigated a tricky-looking festive period to come out on top of the table. A win for Arsenal over West Ham United on Thursday would bump them down to second, but either way Liverpool are looking good.
That isn’t to everyone’s satisfaction, though. And working for Amazon Prime Video Sport last night, Manchester United legend Patrice Evra joked that Liverpool’s resurgence as a genuine force has made him want to cry.
Nevertheless, Evra also admitted that the Reds deserve plenty of credit for turning themselves back into a ‘serious contender’ for the title.
“I don’t want to answer [about Liverpool going top],” said a dead-pan Evra. “We have to be neutral, we work on TV! No, but credit to Liverpool and they deserve it. I think they are a serious contender to win the title.
“We talk a lot about Manchester City and Arsenal and of course City have two games in hand. But Liverpool, I think, they’re back in business. They’re top of the league and they will keep [there] because they’ve got that consistency. They’ve got a great manager. You see, I’m not that neutral, I’m giving so much credit to Liverpool! Now I’m going to cry in the toilet.”
Evra backs Liverpool title charge
As one of the game’s great characters, Evra is always good for a funny line or two.
But beyond that, the Frenchman’s admission that Liverpool will be right up there again does carry some weight.
As he alludes to, Evra is about as far removed from Liverpool as it’s possible to be. Having played 379 games for United over seven-and-a-half years, he’s a genuine legend at Old Trafford.
It must be difficult for him to admit that his club’s greatest enemy now have a possibility to win the league. In the past, he’s been loathe to give the Reds any praise at all.
It should also be pointed out that Evra should be able to spot a title-winning team when he sees one. The 42-year-old was a big part of five Premier League triumphs under Sir Alex Ferguson during his time at United.
Put all of that together, and you have to deduce that this Liverpool team may just be the real deal.
There’s still a long way to go in the season of course. But at the halfway stage, things are looking really good for Jurgen Klopp and co.
Get a few more wins on the board and who knows, even Gary Neville might even have to praise the Reds. Nope, not likely! Still, Evra’s on board, we’ll take that.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
