Gary Neville told Webby & O’Neill’s YouTube channel that Liverpool’s front three ‘work harder’ off the ball than Manchester United trio Marcus Rashford, Antony Martial and Mason Greenwood.
The Sky Sports pundit was trying to make the point that Liverpool and Man City have a very hard working forward line, but out of possession, those at Old Trafford are ‘far weaker’.
Whilst Liverpool are struggling to defend their Premier League title this season, both the Merseysiders and those on the blue half of Manchester have set the bar seriously high without the ball in recent seasons.
Neville shared his thoughts on the off-the-ball pressing from all of the above teams.
“If you look at Greenwood, Rashford and Martial at the end of last season,” said Neville. “They are talented and are scoring goals. But out of possession, they are far weaker than Liverpool and Man City’s in terms of pressing.
“If you look at the pressing of Rashford, Greenwood and Martial compared to City’s front three. They work harder off the ball.
“If you look at Mane, Firmino and Salah. Maybe not so much Salah. But three of them together, they work a lot harder off the ball to press and go and win the ball back.”
A lot of Liverpool’s off-the-ball strength is down to their engine room in the middle of the park.
Previously, Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho would patrol that area, but they haven’t been able to showcase that this season.
Liverpool fans will be hoping that Henderson, at the very least, can return, to midfield because his presence, aggression and leadership qualities are missing in that area.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
