Gary Neville has conceded there can no longer be a debate about the most successful club in England as Liverpool prepares to draw level with Manchester United.
The Reds are just a point away from wrapping up this season’s Premier League title, and will be expected to do so against Tottenham at Anfield later today. With the visitors’ priorities lying in the Europa League, Liverpool will be the heavy favorite against what could be a much-changed side from Ange Postecoglou.
It is quite the achievement for Arne Slot, who is set to claim his first piece of silverware in charge of the Reds, less than 12 months after taking over from Jurgen Klopp. What’s more, it will be a historic triumph for the club in general.
If – or rather, when – Liverpool wraps up the Premier League crown, it will be a 20th league title for the club, drawing it back level with its Old Trafford rival. The Reds hold the advantage when it comes to European Cups/Champions Leagues, having won six to United’s three, while it also boasts more League Cups, with 10 to United’s six.
The Red Devils do have more FA Cups, with last year’s win at Wembley taking them to 13 while Liverpool has eight. Nevertheless, Neville feels there can no longer be any debate over the most successful club in England, with the former United captain admitting the Reds take the crown.
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“It’s a massive deal,” Neville told Sky Sports. “When you think of the league title and the importance of a league title, you think of the great managers that Liverpool have had in Shankly and Paisley, Kenny Dalglish, Joe Fagan, and obviously at United as well, talking about the importance of your bread and butter being the league title.
“The accolade of the most successful club, you could debate it maybe when Manchester United were on 20 titles, and obviously Liverpool do have more European Cups, but once Liverpool get level with Manchester United, the painful thing to say is, unfortunately, the debate is over for a period until Manchester United becomes successful again and wins leagues.
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“It should cause real tremors over at Old Trafford, the idea that Liverpool, which is obviously a great football club, is now the most successful club and will be after today. That should cause real heartache and pain, because it took a lot to get ahead of Liverpool. They were miles ahead when Sir Alex Ferguson took over.”
Liverpool.com says: Neville’s right, there can’t be any debate now – although we would have argued that even before this forthcoming title, given the number of European Cups the two clubs have won.
The next step for the Reds is to go beyond United for league titles. Looking at Ruben Amorim’s side at the moment, there is surely no way they’re going to be in the mix next season, and Liverpool has to make the most of the time that its rival is out of the running.
