Liverpool woke up with the chance to put 10 points between themselves and the Premier League chasing pack on Saturday.
However, that opportunity was soon taken away from them, with the Merseyside Derby called off amid gale force winds at Goodison Park.
Some Liverpool fans have reacted positively to the game being postponed, believing that the extra rest now afforded to the Reds could yet prove crucial down the line.
However, it does mean that those teams chasing Liverpool down in the Premier League can reduce the gap significantly on the Reds this weekend.
Arsenal are playing Fulham on Sunday, while Chelsea are away at Tottenham Hotspur on the same day. Wins for both would put them within four points of Liverpool.
And despite some recent turmoil, Man City have the chance to move back within six of the Reds by beating Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon.
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville before the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on May 3, 2023 in Manc...
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Gary Neville reacts to Liverpool postponement
Although Liverpool will obviously have a game in hand on every other side in the Premier League – except Everton – this could end up being a crucial weekend of football.
Points on the board are always better than games that are yet to be played.
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And according to Gary Neville, that’s exactly the attitude the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea will have if they manage to reduce the deficit on Sunday.
Asked whether those teams will see the Merseyside Derby being cancelled as a bonus, Neville told NBC Sports that they absolutely would.
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“Absolutely, I think to get within four points psychologically is a big thing for those clubs,” said the pundit.
“Because they were looking last week at nine points, 11 points if you’re City. So, there is a real closing of the gap and I think that does make a difference.”
Tim Howard agrees with Gary Neville
Liverpool should not be too concerned about any other team closing things down this weekend.
They have built up an excellent lead over recent weeks and they will back themselves to get the win over Everton when the game eventually comes around.
However, speaking alongside Neville on NBC, former Man United goalkeeper Tim Howard said that it had still been a positive week for Liverpool’s title rivals.
“I think it feels like game on for the title,” said Howard. “If those teams can close the gap to four points, you then have to talk about logistics. When does this game get re-scheduled?
“It’s probably going to be mid-week, they have Champions League, they’re going well on all of these fronts. They’re focus is going to be in different places and that’s not a great thing when it comes to a derby game.
“So, I think if you’re Arsenal or Chelsea you’re thinking ‘this has been a really good week for us.'”
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