Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have different takes on who is best set up to challenge for the Premier League title again after Liverpool lost 3-2 against Manchester United
08:59, 04 May 2026
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Both Liverpool and Manchester United are going to finish inside the Champions League places this season, but that is not the ceiling that either side is aiming for.
As Michael Carrick's men ran out 3-2 victors at Old Trafford this weekend, it was clear that both teams are substantially flawed. Liverpool went behind far too easily in the first half and couldn't properly recover; Manchester United allowed a 2-0 lead to slip via two mistakes that nearly proved to be very costly, before a late winner from Kobbie Mainoo.
Who is best-placed to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title next season, though? Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville have different answers.
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"I'm probably not as confident, but in terms of where Manchester United are now, out of the two, I'd say Liverpool are better placed," Carragher said on Sky Sports' coverage of the game.
"That was probably United's best team on the pitch. We know Liverpool have injuries and still have players in the squad who have won trophies."
"There's a couple of real unknowns," Neville argued. "The managers and which club is going to recruit the best this summer. Both are going to sign three or four.
Jamie Carragher, former footballer and tv pundit portrait before the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray SK at Anfield on March 18, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher (Image: Getty Images)
"And, how much money do the clubs have to spend money on recruitment? I do think the league could be up for grabs over the next couple of years and I think Manchester United could be in a position to exploit that.
"At some point, Pep [Guardiola] has to leave. And I don't think the other big clubs are quite right. There is a league title up for grabs over the next one to two years."
As things stand, Manchester United is only six points behind Manchester City. However, it has played two more games. Liverpool and Aston Villa, in fourth and fifth spots respectively, are on 58 points, with the Old Trafford side on 64.
There is another factor to consider too for Manchester United: it has played no European soccer this season, and also went out of both domestic cups at the first time of asking.
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When you only have Premier League games to play, getting into the Champions League spots is considerably easier. Its squad is not that deep and adding at least eight more matches into next season's schedule will undoubtedly have an impact.
Liverpool.com says: For the Reds, getting back to the top of the table should be a possibility next season, even though it has felt a long way off at times this season.
Slot's team has dropped so many points in games that it should have been much better in that adding even 15 or 20 points to its tally next season should be within reach.
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With a bit more luck on the injury front and some added pace in attack, Liverpool will look very different. A big summer awaits to ensure that it is a possibility.