Liverpool’s attacking riches would have got them over the line at Crystal Palace whereas Manchester City’s didn’t – and the Reds’ strikeforce could be the difference in the title race, says Gary Neville.
Premier League leaders City’s goalless draw at Selhurst Park saw Palace become only the second team to stop Pep Guardiola’s side from scoring home and away in a Premier League season, after Manchester United in 2020/21.
The stalemate ended a run of 18 Premier League games where City had found the net, stretching back to Palace’s 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium in October, and meant the champions – who are four points clear at the summit having played a game more than Liverpool – had failed to score for the fourth time this season.
By contrast, Liverpool have drawn a blank just once this season, with Neville highlighting the abundance of attacking talent at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal compared to Guardiola.
“If Liverpool play that game [at Palace], they win that game because they have better strikers and finishers,” he told Monday Night Football. “They are more ruthless and there is more of them, five players you would put your money on.
“Whereas at City, there are more wide players playing in those positions. Phil Foden is a midfielder player but he’s playing centre-forward. Jack Grealish could be a midfielder, but he plays on the left of a three up front.
“City have got outstanding players in that team, fantastic players, but for as brilliant as they are, they are not the most ruthless or clinical in front of goal.
“The difference at the end of the season could just be down the fact that Liverpool have more strikers who are clinical and suited to scoring goals. We’ve known that all season with City, the only thing that could let them down is that.”
“City are top of the league, but they haven’t scored four times this season. Liverpool have failed to score in a game once. Could that make a difference? Of course it could. Both teams are at the highest level so you’re talking about what the difference could be.
“Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah are all at Liverpool and they will score goals. City are a brilliant team and could still win this league, but that could be the difference.
“Liverpool are really dangerous. I look at those five strikers they have got. They go into the last part of the season knowing they can win an awful lot of football matches with those five up front. City don’t have the same luxury in attacking areas.”