Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have agreed that Liverpool are more likely to challenge Manchester City in the Premier League title race next season than Arsenal. The Gunners were once eight points clear of Pep Guardiola's side but, after picking up just six points from a possible 15 in April, they surrendered top spot to the reigning champions.
Despite having spent 248 days in first-place, the north Londoners have lost sight of the league title. In fact, no team in the English top-flight has ever led the table for long without going on to win the competition.
Speaking on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football show, Neville admitted that he hopes Arsenal can carry over their form into next season but named Liverpool as the most capable challenger. The former Manchester United defender believes that Jurgen Klopp's side will bounce back after having disappointed this season.
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"The other day I was asked that who was the most likely challenger," said Neville. "The only team that’s really proven that they can run them really close and that I could trust is Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but I’m not sure about that because I think they dropped off way below than what they did last time they had a bad season.
"I hope that all the other teams are looking at Manchester City and not feeling sorry for themselves and thinking how do we get to that level? Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have lived with them for three seasons, they’re the only team that have proven they can really do it.
"Arsenal lived with them for 30 games this season, so let’s hope it can happen, because I don’t buy into this doom and gloom that we might as well all pack up and go home. I think the other teams are spending enough money to be able to have a chance, but City have the most exceptional manager.
"However, I must say that Jurgen Klopp’s performance at Liverpool with their net spend of being like £200million in five or six years compared to Pep Guardiola’s deserves a special mention - it’s equally as good."
Then, when Carragher was asked the same question, he replied: "I’m gonna go with Liverpool and Manchester United. I think Liverpool will come back and I agree with Gary [Neville], the jump in terms of really challenging Man City may be a little bit too big - it might still be a little too big for Manchester United.
"But, I do see those two teams. Where Manchester United are going they look really solid. If they get a couple of attacking players and score more goals, that’s what they need to do.
"Liverpool will invest again in midfield players and they’ve got players who’ve won the biggest trophies before, so I’d say Liverpool and Manchester United."
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