Liverpool's Premier League title hopes assessed
Reds top of the table and tipped to challenge Man City for crown
Monday 17 December 2018 11:58, UK
Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Graeme Souness delivered their verdict on Liverpool's title chances, after watching Jurgen Klopp's side beat Manchester United at Anfield
Xherdan Shaqiri stepped off the bench to score with two deflected strikes for the hosts and that victory moves Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League table ahead of Manchester City.
But can they stay there? Here's how the Super Sunday panel assessed their title hopes…
Graeme Souness - "They're nearly the real deal"
"I think Jurgen Klopp's got a really healthy group of players. They obviously need a wee bit of luck in terms of injuries, especially the front three - keeping them healthy and sharp will be a challenge. But he's got a really healthy group and you're looking at them thinking, they're nearly the real deal, if not the real deal.
"I look at Man City, with all due respect to Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, and it'll be between Liverpool and Man City."
Trending
- Papers: Gravenberch set to stay at Liverpool amid Real Madrid links
- Gabriel Jesus is back! Hat-trick for Arsenal striker sinks Palace
- Nunez and Elliott strike as Liverpool battle past Southampton
- Transfer Centre LIVE! 'Saudi could offer Rashford way out of Man Utd'
- Hits and misses: Jesus, Elliott and Tonali all shine in Carabao Cup
- Man Utd latest: Rashford has not travelled for Carabao Cup tie - reports
- Perez leaves Red Bull seat as 2025 exit confirmed
- 'Pain, hurt and damage' - Fury issues menacing warning to Usyk
- Vasseur: Convincing Hamilton to join Ferrari not difficult at all
- Southampton 1-2 Liverpool - free match highlights and rate the players
Gary Neville - "They can win in different ways"
"Two years ago, I thought Liverpool could only win the game one way - they either blitzed teams or they caught them in the last half-hour. Now it feels like they can win games in different ways - they can hold out for a 1-0, they can respond to going a goal down…
"They're a much more rounded team. Defensively, they're so much better. They're in a far better position than they were 18 months ago and they do look like they're playing at that highest level now."
Roy Keane - "There are trophies on the way to Anfield"
"Can they maintain it? Without a shadow of a doubt. They have the squad, they all seem onside - when you win football matches you get that momentum, confidence. Unless they have a disaster with injuries to their attacking players, they'll be in the mix.
"We've thought with Liverpool over the last few years, yes, they're nice to watch but are they really going to be good enough to win the big prizes? I think the signing of Virgil van Dijk was massive. I know the goalkeeper made a mistake but he'll be a massive player for Liverpool and if they stay injury-free with the attacking players, there are trophies on the way to Anfield, without a shadow of a doubt."
