Ex-Red Steve McManaman thinks Manchester City are still favourites for title

The former Liverpool player has said the Reds need to keep within three points of Manchester City before facing them in April.
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Steve McManaman has said the Premier League title race is ‘back on’ but still has Manchester City down as favourites to win the league.

City were 12 points clear at the top the table less than a month ago, but a shock defeat to Tottenham Hotspur and games in hand for the Reds have closed the gap.

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Liverpool are now within three points of the league leaders - who play Merseyside rivals Everton on Saturday - after a thumping 6-0 win at home to Leeds United on Wednesday evening.

And fans of both sides are already looking at the April meeting at the Etihad as a pivotal fixture in the title challenge.

Pep Guardiola pays tribute to title rival Jurgen Klopp (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)Pep Guardiola pays tribute to title rival Jurgen Klopp (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola pays tribute to title rival Jurgen Klopp (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Speaking to Horseracing.net, McManaman said: “I’d still say that Manchester City are the favourites. They’re ahead in the table and they’ve got a home fixture against Liverpool too.

“Neutrals don’t want to see a team be 20 points clear at the top of the table and it’s great that we’re now talking about the title race being back on. Everybody is giddy about it after Tottenham’s victory at the weekend.

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“A few years ago when there was a close race between the two sides, both teams kept winning game after game and that just highlights the quality of these two sides. As fans we want to be talking about a really exciting Premier League title race this season.”

Mane moving to Spain would be a step down

With recent reports that Sadio Mane is looking for a dream move to one of the two Spanish giants before he retires, there has been talk of the Senegalese midfielder leaving in the summer after Luis Diaz’ arrival.

Mane has expressed his desire to play for one of Barcelona or Real Madrid at some point in his career and a move could be the start of Liverpool’s transition away from the transformational front-three.

Sadio Mane has expressed his desire to move to Spain before retirement, with Real Madrid or Barcelona dream destinations. Sadio Mane has expressed his desire to move to Spain before retirement, with Real Madrid or Barcelona dream destinations.
Sadio Mane has expressed his desire to move to Spain before retirement, with Real Madrid or Barcelona dream destinations.

But McManaman has insisted a move to the Spanish elite would be a step-down for the Liverpool winger and that neither Barcelona or Madrid will be challenging for top honours over the next few seasons - he has also questioned whether either side could afford him.

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“I doubt he would move and whether they’d let him go is debatable.” McManaman said.

“He’s only got 18 months left on his contract. Whether Real Madrid or Barcelona could afford him is also the question. Barcelona can’t afford him. I know Mane’s got 18 months left on his deal but it’d have to be over £60m, £70m, £80m.

“Five years ago I had a different opinion about Spanish football. Now when I look, Real Madrid are not the Real Madrid of old. They are a number of years behind the top English teams.

“So if you want to sort of step down a bit and play for your ‘favourite club’, then fine. When players used to want to play for Barcelona or the Real Madrid, those clubs were challenging for every single top honour.

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“That’s not going to be the case for a number of years because of their finances.”

Luis Diaz a ‘real Liverpool’ player

Colombian winger Diaz has hit the ground running since his £37million pound move from Porto in January.

The 25-year-old made an impressive start coming off the bench in the FA Cup fourth round win over Cardiff and has settled in quickly on the left-wing - encouraging many with his work-rate and seemingly telepathic link-up play with his new teammates.

He scored his first Liverpool goal in last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Norwich with a beautifully deft chip and McManaman has been seriously impressed with the new-signing - but stressed it will be hard to reach the levels of Mohamed Salah.

“Regarding Luis Díaz,” he added.

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“You don’t want to put pressure on players but he looks a real Liverpool type player and suits the way that Jurgen Klopp wants them to play.

“He’s aggressive, hunts the ball down, he’s quick with the ball and he gets goals. He’ll certainly get lots of goals but I doubt he’ll get near Mohamed Salah as Liverpool now have more options up front and there’s going to be more of an opportunity to chop and change.”