Charlie Nicholas, a Sky Sports pundit, says Liverpool’s win away at Bayern Munich wasn’t good. He suggested the Reds were only a shade better than the “terrible” hosts.
“A fantastic result in Munich could come at a cost. Yes, you’re in the draw and you deserve to be there, but it wasn’t a good performance. Bayern were terrible, Liverpool were just a shade better,” he said in his Sky Sports prediction for Liverpool’s trip to Fulham.
For a little bit of context: Bayern hadn’t lost a game at home since October last year. Manuel Neuer had a nightmare, letting in all three of the on-target attempts on goal.
“Sadio Mane is the man, not Mohamed Salah or Roberto Firmino,” he suggested. The former Arsenal forward clearly lives on another planet as Salah’s assist for Mane’s second was nothing but world class.
https://twitter.com/MrNickMason/status/1106137686342094848
“Virgil van Dijk and Mane are the two getting them through this situation and I’m not convinced with their midfield either but I think Fulham are [going to be relegated], he said.
“There’s a bit of pride to be left, but I don’t know what Scott Parker can do to keep anything going. I’m expecting Salah to get back on the score-sheet this weekend.”
Nicholas suggested that Manchester City not playing in the league this weekend eases the pressure on Liverpool. “They don’t look really nervous,” he suggested.
“They do get agitated and frustrated, because when the front three are playing that well they need someone else to get them through. It has been Jurgen Klopp who has been getting caught up in the pressure of the situation but good coaches can ease the burden.
“I think it will be a fairly comfortable statement [by Liverpool] and it will be a statement of intent to say to Man City ‘we’re not going away’”.
It’s safe to assume the former Scotland international doesn’t think highly of the Reds’ chances to win anything this season.
Klopp’s men travel to Craven Cottage with the prospect of going two points clear at the top of the league. City also face off with Fulham in their next game – it’d be wise to expect similar results for the two horses of this race.