Gary Neville believes Liverpool have a massive opportunity to punish Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, but he has doubts about whether Andoni Iraola’s side possess the same ruthless mentality that made Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool so dangerous.
The Premier League showdown promises to be a major test for both sides. Manchester City arrive with a perfect league record, while Liverpool remain unbeaten but have drawn three of their opening five matches.
With the attention surrounding City’s recent financial-rule verdict, Neville believes the circumstances are perfect for Liverpool to deliver a statement performance. However, he is unsure whether the current team can take full advantage of the situation.
Speaking on The Overlap Daily, as reported by OneFootball, Neville revealed his biggest concern ahead of Sunday’s encounter.
He said: “I’ve got one worry about Sunday. If this was Klopp’s Liverpool they would drive them into the ground and literally finish them off in one day. They’d probably beat them [by] three or four. I’m not sure on this Liverpool team.”
Neville’s comments raise questions about whether Iraola’s Liverpool have the same intensity and ruthless finishing ability that characterised Klopp’s best teams.
Liverpool have shown plenty of attacking threat this season, but turning their performances into victories has not always been straightforward. The Reds have also drawn their last four Premier League matches at Anfield.
However, their pressing statistics tell a different story. According to Liverpool’s official statistical preview, they have applied high-intensity pressure to 48.9% of opposition touches in the attacking half, the highest rate in the Premier League this season.
Manchester City may be arriving full of confidence after winning their opening five league matches, but the atmosphere at Anfield could make Sunday’s encounter particularly challenging.
Klopp’s Liverpool often thrived in these high-pressure occasions. Now, Iraola’s side have an opportunity to demonstrate that they can produce a similarly commanding performance.
A convincing victory would not only help Liverpool close the gap on City but also provide a response to Neville’s doubts about whether this new-look Liverpool team has the mentality to dominate the biggest games.
