Gary Neville has admitted that Liverpool were “far better” than he imagined they would be this season, and claimed that they performed “like a champion” in the run in.
The Reds picked up 97 points in the league and didn’t drop any in their last nine matches, but were still pipped to the post by Manchester City on the final day.
But Neville as still heaped praise on Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “Liverpool this year are far better than I imagined, they have done far more than I ever imagined, I never thought that that squad was capable of mounting a challenge for the title like they have and a Champions League.
“I thought they would fall in the last month, incredible credit to them, they played like champions all season, they have performed like a champion team.”
OPINION
Rarely will you hear Neville willingly give praise to Liverpool. Saviour the moment. He is absolutely right though. Even with the signings they made last summer, nobody could have expected them to perform as well or as consistently as they did over the course of this season. Losing just once in the Premier League, to the eventual champions as well, is some achievement, and it is testament to how well City composed themselves over the last quarter of the season that they were able to hold off a rampant Liverpool challenge. Whereas in previous years, the Reds have challenged for the title and then fallen away the year after, you get the impression that this team is built to last and that they will be right up there again next term. Surely the wait for a league title cannot go on for very much longer, even with this City side to contend with.
