Gary Neville thinks there was a ‘strange’ atmosphere at Anfield on Sunday during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Manchester United legend thinks the Liverpool fans, despite being the only ones in England being able to compete with Pep Guardiola’s dominant side over the years, went into yesterday’s game with an ‘underdog’ status.
That was largely down to the free-scoring start Manchester City have made this season, especially with their dynamite duo Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne at their disposal.
Whereas Jurgen Klopp was seemingly ruling out his side’s chances of challenging for the Premier League title before a ball was kicked.
If the Reds had lost yesterday, then they would have been sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League table, but it just goes to show how just one win can possibly transform a season.
Nonetheless, with Neville in the Gantry doing commentary for Sky Sports, he seemingly felt a different vibe from the Liverpool faithful.
“That tells you the atmosphere in here,” said Neville. “Liverpool have been neck and neck with Man City for three or four years.
“But it just seems like an atmosphere in this ground whereby Liverpool are recognising the underdog status. That’s strange. You wouldn’t have said that at the start of the season, with the way they have been so close.
“These Liverpool fans are clapping every throw-in they win, every tackle and pass.”
LIVERPOOL UNBEATEN AT HOME
Liverpool might be struggling this season, or at least they have been for the first few months, but one thing they kept intact is their unbeaten home record this term.
Against Crystal Palace, they were down to ten-men, yet still avoided defeat, Brighton rocked up on Merseyside and scored three, yet left with a point.
In-form Newcastle United opened the scoring, but Eddie Howe’s side left Anfield empty-handed.
Whilst that form or performance isn’t what Klopp is looking for, it might prove to be pivotal in May because they have still kept themselves within touching distance of those at the top.
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