Gary Neville says Liverpool could challenge for the EPL title if they had the 24-year-old star in the midfield
Gary Neville says Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will surely avoid the Premier League title if they have Declan Rice or Rodri in midfield.
Manchester City beat Arsenal 1-0 on Sunday to lose back-to-back league games for the first time since 2018 and seal the Premier League title.
Liverpool, looking much better than last season, are among the teams hoping to challenge at the top again, but Neville doubted they have that “defensive stability” in the middle of the park, as he told Sky Sports.
The Reds have lost a reliable defensive brain and midfielder since Fabinho left in the summer, although the Brazilian star’s performances have fallen off a cliff.
But Declan Rice and Rodri, who was suspended for yesterday’s game, two of the best numbers of the Premier League in six. This prompted Neville to question how these two players would make a difference to a team like Liverpool and their chances of winning the title.
OTHER LIVERPOOL STORY
Declan Rice and Rodri in Liverpool
“The midfield is attacking,” said Neville. “Does it have the defensive stability that we saw here today when Rodri came back (to Manchester City) and when you see Rice, Partey and Jorginho (Arsenal)?
“Do they have that defensive stability, Liverpool? If you put Declan Rice in Liverpool’s midfield or Rodri, I’d say Liverpool would definitely be in the Champions League. – My question mark is whether they have enough stability, defensive strength or strength in midfield. I don’t think Liverpool will get there, but they are certainly in the running for manager after manager. He is great. One of the best.”
Liverpool challenge for the Premier League title?
Hours before Arsenal and Manchester City locked horns, Jurgen Klopp’s side dropped points at the ever-impressive Brighton. Again, Liverpool shot themselves in the foot defensively, so from that perspective it answers Neville’s question that they are pushing Rice or Rodríguez forward.
It’s about being in the main table in March. With Liverpool sitting in this table, their attack, manager and someone like Mohamed Salah make them really dangerous.
