da bet7k： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da aposte e ganhe： Gary Neville has told talkSPORT that he hopes Liverpool gain a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League and then blow it.
What did he say?
As it stands, the Reds are currently eight points clear of Leicester City in second, whilst Manchester City, the current champions, are a further three behind in third.
Former Manchester United player Neville has said that he hopes that that gap goes out even further, as he said he would love it if they were then unable to clinch the title. He said: “If they blow it now, it’s going to be one of the best years I’ve had on Sky!
“Honestly, it would be the most incredible experience to watch this unfold and for them have a 12-point lead and then it dissipate before my eyes.
“I actually hope they have a 12-point lead in March and then really late just fall to pieces!”
Crushing
Surprise, surprise: a Manchester United legend wants bitter rivals Liverpool to suffer. It is not exactly a shock to see him say this but so far, there has been very little indication that he will be celebrating come the end of the current campaign.
Having said that, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the Reds could blow a big lead. Last season, they were seven points clear with 18 matches to play, and yet they failed to win the league as they were pipped to the post by the Citizens.
12 points would be a big lead to throw away. And, were they to fail to clinch the trophy from such a position, there is a very strong chance they wouldn’t be close to a title for a very long time. How could they recover from such a crushing blow? It would surely be nigh on impossible for them galvanise themselves once again for another long campaign, especially with that niggling thought that they could crumble once again.
Just look at Newcastle United. In 1995/96, they were 12 points clear at the top of the table with just 15 games to play. However, they then went on a terrible run of form, with the Reds Devils eventually catching up and then surpassing them. In the midst of that, we were treated to Kevin Keegan’s meltdown that has since gone down as one of the greatest moments in Premier League history. Whilst they finished second in the following campaign, they haven’t really been close ever since.
No clues: Can you name the season these iconic Liverpool images belong to?
So far, there is no indication that such a collapse would occur with Liverpool. Few thought it would happen to the Toon either though. If they were to blow such a lead, Neville’s gloating should be the least of their worries.
In other news, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain shares who the leaders are in the Liverpool dressing room.