Liverpool sit 15 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after Manchester United drew 1-1 with Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday
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Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville
Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has insisted that the Premier League title is now Liverpool's and even set out a date when he thinks they will win it. The Reds survived a scare on Saturday against bottom of the table Southampton to win 3-1 and move 16 points clear at the top.
Having won 7-1 in midweek, Arsenal entered their clash with United full of confidence on Sunday but failed to get going. Bruno Fernandes gave Ruben Amorim's side the lead with a well-placed free-kick only for Declan Rice to equalise for the Gunners with 15 minutes remaining.
A lacklustre Arsenal failed to break down a deep United backline as the points were eventually shared leaving the Reds 15 points clear. Arne Slot's men now know that five wins and a draw from their last nine fixtures will be enough to lift the Premier League title for a record equalling 20th time.
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Speaking after watching the North London club lose further ground on Liverpool at the top, Neville told his namesake podcast on Sky Sports that the race for the Premier League is done. "I think it is going to be positive for Liverpool having these big games, they have not got time to stop and think," he explained.
"They won’t be complacent in the league but they have got this. This title is in their hands.
"When it is 1-1 (for Arsenal), they have not just got one hand on the trophy, the ribbons and the colours are being changed as we speak and the engraver is starting to put the first ‘L' on the trophy, which is a painful thought. The Premier League title is massive for Liverpool.
"Winning the title is big. We know winning the Champions League is big for Liverpool but we know that winning titles is your bread and butter.
"To get level with United on titles, for it to be 20-20, and to be winning a title in Arne Slot’s first season, I think for those players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson who will be winning a second title… Winning two titles and you are starting to get into a serious level of player. I think they are going to be so focused.
"They will get little scares like yesterday, that just happens, but I think they have enough confidence and the others are well behind them and are dipping. So Liverpool have got this in the bag and will win it in April."
Next up for Liverpool is a return to the Champions League when they face PSG in the round of 16 at Anfield. The Reds currently hold a one-goal advantage in the tie thanks to Harvey Elliott's late goal in Paris on Wednesday.
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