Sutton rubbishes Savage’s ‘absolutely ridiculous’ Liverpool claim

Joe Williams
Chris Sutton talks about Liverpool

Chris Sutton thinks it is “absolutely ridiculous” to suggest that Liverpool can’t pip Manchester City to the Premier League title.

City and the Reds both won at the weekend as the gap between the leaders and Jurgen Klopp’s side remained at nine points, although the Merseysiders do have a game in hand.

If Liverpool can stay in touching distance or close that gap then their match against City on April 9 could be huge.


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Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage thinks the gap between Liverpool and Pep Guardiola’s side is insurmountable but Sutton disagreed with his suggestion that the Reds can’t win the title.

“Are you writing Liverpool off,” Sutton said on BBC Radio Five Live. “You are saying that Liverpool can’t win the title this season.

“That’s absolutely ridiculous. It will be six points if they win their game in hand and they have got to play Manchester City as well.

“Come on, come on! Liverpool can still win it.”

Meanwhile, Klopp has claimed that Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk is back to his best with perfect timing for the remainder of the season.

The Netherlands captain was in imposing form during the Reds’ hard-fought 1-0 victory at Burnley which helped maintain their pursuit of Manchester City.

February’s Champions League restart – Liverpool go to Inter Milan this week – is usually the signal for Van Dijk to shift through the gears as the quest for trophies steps up.

And having proved he has successfully recovered from anterior cruciate ligament surgery to his left knee last season, Klopp now believes the centre-back has regained his superiority.

Klopp told reporters: “Definitely, definitely, you can see it in all movements and everything.We were always convinced that it would happen.

“He is completely back on track, he is absolutely at his best again.

“I would say it’s good timing because the decisive part of the season is coming up now. Long may it continue.”

Van Dijk’s fellow defender Andy Robertson admits the players have been eagerly awaiting the restart of the Champions League.

“Obviously the group stages to the last 16 is the biggest wait for the Champions League,” Robertson told liverpoolfc.com. “Once the draw gets done you get excited about it and you look forward to that challenge ahead. It’s going to be incredibly tough.

“Inter are going really well in Serie A, up fighting at the top and we’ll try to keep pushing on all fronts.

“We’ve got a tough game away first and we need to be at our best and do what we’ve been doing over the last six to eight weeks.

“If we do that, I believe we can get a positive result. But we look forward to it – an iconic stadium, an amazing stadium, I’m sure the crowd will be fantastic and we’ll bring a big away support.”