According to Man United Legend Gary Neville Only Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have proven they can challenge Man City

According to Man United Legend Gary Neville: Only Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool have proven they can challenge Man City

Gary Neville believes Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are the team best placed to challenge Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the near future.

Gary Neville believes Liverpool will continue to be the team most likely to end Manchester City’s continued dominance in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s defeat at Nottingham Forest on Sunday confirmed City’s fifth Premier League title in six years.

The FA Cup and Champions League could still follow, with Neville believing it would be “a miracle” if Pep Guardiola’s side fail to complete the treble next month.

Manchester United and Inter Milan remain the only stumbling blocks between City achieving what would be only the second treble in Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League history, but that about next season and the task at hand, the team identify who is best equipped to stop City’s victory? Domestic machine? “You have to have a great manager and a great group of players to do what City have done and other clubs have to strive to achieve that,” Neville said.

“Right now Liverpool are the only team that have proven over the last five or six years that they can challenge City.”

“Arsenal have just edged out City this year, but the only team I can say at the moment that have proven they can come close to Pep Guardiola’s City is Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool.”

“I know they are well below those standards this season, but they can come back to those standards next season because they have already proven they can do it.”

Although City’s Premier League wins have now become the norm, a grateful Neville has hailed a significant change in City’s approach this season following the signing of striker Erling Haaland last summer.

“It’s my favorite Pep Guardiola team and the one I would love to play against,” Neville said. “I like this Pep Guardiola team more than the other Pep Guardiola teams.

“The last ten games have probably been the best I’ve seen with Man City playing the way I love football.”

“I like a solid back four. I like a solid back four – the one that doesn’t give you a chance. The midfield is exceptional.” But I like the imperfection Haaland brings, the idea that not everything is perfect. I like that they can go long, cross from afar.

Gary Neville believes newly confirmed champions Manchester City aren’t perfect which makes them all the more dangerous

“I enjoyed watching this Manchester City team more than in previous seasons or when Pep Guardiola was at Barcelona because I felt he was a repetitive and technical machine.

“This one has power, strength and on set pieces they have a monster team.

“This is a very different team physically from Pep Guardiola. I like that they aren’t as perfect with the ball as they used to be, but I think that makes them more dangerous.

“I don’t think they could achieve what they are achieving if they didn’t have that strength, that physique and that Haaland presence.”

“Football is not so perfect technically, but I think it’s more entertaining.”

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Roberto Firmino departed in tears as Anfield paid tribute to four departing Liverpool stars

Roberto Firmino scored on his last Anfield appearance, sealing the occasion with a dramatic late equalizer as Liverpool drew against Aston Villa.

Roberto Firmino was honored with a banner on the Kop during Saturday afternoon’s match.

Roberto Firmino scored a dramatic late equalizer on the day Anfield paid tribute to the departing Brazilian star on his final home appearance.

Liverpool paid tribute to two of their longest serving players, with James Milner and Firmino both receiving awards from the club in the Reds’ final home game of the season. Banners were hoisted over the Kop before the match, with both players cheered as their names were read, with both on the substitutes’ bench for a crucial match. Both players were acclaimed in the closing stages, their presence boosting the Reds. Firmino equalized in the 89th minute from a cross from Mo Salah and the 31-year-old had the opportunity to celebrate his goal in front of a jubilant Kop.

A tearful Firmino was hugged by compatriot Alisson after the game, while the Reds goalkeeper tearfully hugged his team-mate and whispered words in his ear after a remarkable winning streak together.

After the match, they were able to feel the love from Anfield supporters and take a tour of the pitch to show their appreciation to the club’s supporters, as the players’ families joined them on the pitch.

As the players took their turns on the pitch, the Kop sang a song dedicated to the outgoing Firmino as he absorbed the love for a city he had called home for eight years. Both players arrived before Jurgen Klopp took over, with their arrival in 2015 as the club began a remarkable climb to success.

The Reds eventually won the Champions League title in 2019 and a Premier League title a year later in 2020. Firmino in particular was praised for his part in a terrifying attacking trio alongside Salah and Sadio Mane.

Mane left the club last summer which means Salah is now the only member of the three iconic fronts to be at the club next season.

Roberto Firmino is comforted by Liverpool teammate Allison

Firmino’s next destination is unclear, but given that he has been a key player in one of Europe’s top clubs in recent years, there will be plenty of interest in him.

Milner was given a fond farewell in his last game at Anfield as the 37-year-old moved to Brighton next season.

His 330 appearances for the club in eight years have earned him a string of major accolades, with the former Manchester City midfielder becoming a popular figure at Anfield and a useful servant, often called upon to play out of position.

All four departing players, which also included Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, were all given a guard of honour by teammates and club staff following the match, with a parting gift presented to each player.

Speaking in March as it was announced that Firmino would leave the club, Klopp spoke of his admiration for the Brazilian, revealing how his legacy would live on at Anfield.

He said: “There’s no time for a goodbye or whatever in this moment, there’s enough time for that later in the season. Whenever he will come back, everybody knows that the song will still be for a long, long time in everybody’s ears I’m pretty sure.”