“That would hurt them” - Gary Neville explains 'biggest risk' for Liverpool in Premier League title race despite 6-3 win over Spurs
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has explained the 'biggest risk' that Liverpool will face in the Premier League title race despite their 6-3 thumping of Tottenham Hotspur (December 22). The Englishman believes that the fitness of the Reds' superstar players Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah will be the deciding factor in their title charge.
Salah has asserted his dominance in attack with a staggering 18 goals and 15 assists in just 24 games across all competitions this season. Van Dijk has been an immovable rock at the back for the Reds, helping his side keep 12 clean sheets in his 22 appearances thus far in the 2024-25 campaign.
Speaking on his podcast on Sky Sports, Neville outlined that the fitness of the two superstars will be of paramount importance for Arne Slot's side. He said (via Football365):
"Liverpool are clearly the best team in the Premier League at this moment in time. They're the clear favourites for the title... I think the one team they need to watch are Arsenal if they can get their tail up and close that gap going in March and April."
"I think the biggest risk for them is injuries – if they were to lose Van Dijk and Salah that would hurt them. Van Dijk is like Rodri for Liverpool, he holds it all together. Keeping him fit is absolutely crucial," Neville added.
With 12 wins, three draws and just one loss, Liverpool currently sit atop the Premier League standings. Their tally of 39 points puts them four points clear of second-placed Chelsea with a game in hand.
"It is absolutely sensational" - Gary Neville hails Liverpool star after 6-3 win over Spurs
Gary Neville commended star Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold after his stellar performance in the Reds' 6-3 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Alexander-Arnold set up Luis Diaz's opener (23') and was a constant offensive threat down the right flank. Overall, he has bagged five assists in 21 appearances across all competitions this season.
In the latest episode of his Sky Sports podcast, Neville explained the 26-year-old's brilliance and called him the best passing right-back in the history of the game.
He said (via TBRFootball):
"I thought the Trent Alexander-Arnold cross for the first goal... you can just see (Luis) Diaz, you look up and you think, 'what’s he got', and you see Diaz making that run and you think, 'can he hit it'. You know he’s going to try and put it there, and to put it exactly where he wanted to, I mean, he makes it look really simple but it is world-class."
"We've never seen passing and crossing from a right-back of that type ever I think and I think I can include all the great right-backs globally, not just those who played in the Premier League. It is absolutely sensational, it really is," Neville added.
Up next, Alexander-Arnold will be in action in Liverpool's Premier League fixture against Leicester City on December 26.
