Ferdinand, Crouch give their verdict on City vs Liverpool title race

Joe Williams
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola bump fists

Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch both think that Manchester City are still the “favourites” to win the title ahead of Liverpool this season.

Liverpool went temporarily top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory at home to Watford on Saturday before Man City reclaimed the summit later in the day when they beat Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.

The Reds have closed the gap to Pep Guardiola’s men to just one point in recent weeks after winning ten Premier League matches in a row.

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Ferdinand claims “you feel fear in other teams” when they face Liverpool at the moment but he thinks City have enough to just pip the Reds in the title race.

“I think momentum is always key, especially at the turn of the year,” Ferdinand said on BT Sport. “You get to the back end of the season, the trophies are being handed out and it is all about that momentum and who is driving through and picking up points on a consistent basis and you can see the confidence.

“And you can see that within this Liverpool team and you feel fear in other teams when they come up against them with how they play and the way that they gain that momentum. Against anyone else, they are the favourite, but because Manchester City have that experience, because they have been here time and time again, and with Pep Guardiola, they are the favourites for me, but only just.”

Fellow pundit Crouch agreed, the former Liverpool striker said: “I think the fact that they were 14 points behind and the business end of the season is so important to have the ascendency and winning games.

“Manchester City will be looking over their shoulders now. But, I still think City are favourites with their favourable run in, the game at the Etihad is so important but this month coming up for Liverpool is massive.”

Diogo Jota scored his 14th Premier League goal of the season as Liverpool beat Watford on Saturday and Ferdinand was full of praise after the match.

Ferdinand said: “That’s an unbelievable run. He’s top goal scorer for headers in the Premier League this season. That’s unbelievable and he was brave to get his head in there.”

 

Liverpool Peter Crouch

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