Liverpool will still be “guarded” in their pursuit of the Premier League title despite their clear lead at the top of the table, according to Gary Neville.
The Reds are poised to end their 30-year wait for a league title this season, with Jurgen Klopp’s side an astonishing 19 points clear in first place.
And they can restore their 22-point lead at the summit by claiming victory in their clash with West Ham at Anfield this evening.
If second-place Manchester City don’t drop any points, Klopp and co will be confirmed champions by winning their next five matches.
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Despite already having one hand on the title, though, former Manchester United defender Neville thinks Liverpool will still be determined to wrap up their incredible feat as quickly as possible.
“I think because Liverpool have not won it in such a long time, I think there will be absolutely no complacency,” he said on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.
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“I don't think there will be anxiety either. Usually when you are going for your first title, I would suggest you would have a higher level of anxiety with the excitement building and the crowd and the pressure.
“Because of the position that Liverpool are in, I think they can relax a lot more than you ordinarily could do going for your first title.
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“But because of the importance to the club of this Premier League, I think you will see them be really professional.
“They will want to do it as quickly as possible, there won't be anxiety but they will still have this guarded thing, where they still have to win five games, that's still 15 points.
“That is providing Man City don't drop any more points, but they will expect they will win every single game.
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“Five games to win is still some feat in the Premier League, even though they don't look like losing a game at the moment.”
Klopp has made one change to the team that lost 1-0 away at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.
Naby Keita has come into the midfield in place of injured captain Jordan Henderson, who picked up a hamstring problem in Madrid.
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Henderson is only likely to be out for around three weeks, which Klopp admitted is a relief.
He said: “Hendo, it could have been worse. How we all know, it was a hamstring. We heard of different hamstring injuries now around in the Premier League – Harry Kane, for example. It’s not that bad.
“But he will be out, I think, for three weeks or so, which is not cool. But how we see it, we were still lucky. That’s it.”
- Gary Neville
- Liverpool FC
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