Taken from Liverpool FC
Arne Slot has pointed out Gary Neville has U-turned on his prediction for Liverpool's title hopes
Arne Slot has pointed out the huge U-turn Gary Neville has made over Liverpool's title prospects.
The Reds are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League in Slot's first season as manager. The Dutchman replaced the much-loved Jurgen Klopp over the summer after the Geman called time on a highly successful nine-year spell in charge.
Neville expected it to be a difficult debut campaign for Slot, tipping the Reds to be far from a title challenge. In fact, the Manchester United legend prediced Liverpool would finish fifth in the table.
He told Monday Night Football in August: "I think Liverpool, my view would be that the impact of (Jurgen) Klopp will take its toll. The evidence of history. There will be some pain at some point this season and it could cost them.
"I think Liverpool have a better team than Manchester United, far better forwards. But I really do question whether that Liverpool midfield can stand up over the season. I think Manchester United have got more depth in midfield."
The tables have now very much turned though, with Sunday's win over Manchester City sending them nine points clear of second-place Arsenal. That has seen Neville change his tune on the Reds' hopes.
He told Sky Sports: "It's absolutely brilliant what Arne Slot's done and it gets really serious. It's gone from being a honeymoon period, a great start to hang on a minute. There's a real expectation but they'll be very, very strong favourites.
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Neville had tipped Liverpool to finish fifth this season
"Nine points clear of Arsenal, 11 points clear of Manchester City and there's still four or five months to go. I'm not saying Liverpool are going to win the league. I still think there's a long way to go. But there is no doubt that now there'll be an expectation."
That change in stance has been picked up on by Slot, who has issued a cheeky response to Neville. Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Wednesday night and the Reds boss is fully aware of the challenge his side face to keep their place in top spot.
"Is that the first one?" Slot said when asked about Neville's latest prediction. "He had a different opinion on us at the start of the season, which probably most people had about us, except our fans. We don't look at it at this moment like this.
"We know we have a difficult week coming up again and as we thought, Real Madrid and Man City were difficult to face. I think it's even harder to go to Newcastle away as well. We're not even halfway through the season yet, but it's a good position to be in.
"That's definitely true. I wasn't aware that six of the [next] nine are away but now you tell me, it makes it even more difficult, but we're ready for it."
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