Gary Neville pinpoints two factors that may change Man City vs Liverpool title race again

09.05.2022 - 14:23 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk

Gary Neville has outlined two potentially defining moments in the Premier League title race — one that will benefit Manchester City and the other that could give a boost to their contenders, Liverpool. With three matches to play this season, three points separates the top two with silverware in sight.

It remains advantage City in their push for a fourth English crown in five years after they swept aside Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium — scoring five goals without reply — after watching Liverpool drop points against Tottenham 24 hours earlier. Those results mean City also have a superior goal difference, but their victory over Newcastle came at a cost, too, as Ruben Dias was forced off with a hamstring injury.

According to Pep Guardiola, the Portuguese is set to miss the rest of this campaign, while John Stones (hamstring) and Nathan Ake (ankle) will also play no further part. In their absence, veteran midfielder Fernandinho was called on from the bench to partner Aymeric Laporte at centre-back.

READ MORE: Pep Guardiola finds Man City balance in unexpected Fernandinho substitution

Speaking on the latest episode of The Gary Neville Podcast, Neville spoke about the latest twists and turns in the title race. He said: "It's genuinely important [goal difference], because I believe Wolves or West Ham could shock City.

"I do genuinely believe that. Dias was injured [on Sunday]. Going away to those two teams, they have got players who can do it and they have got systems of play that can do it. They have had good seasons both of those teams, they are awkward.

"City will have to be at their very best. You see the centre-back partnership has been obliterated. If he [Dias] is not fit for the rest of this week... if he wasn't there