As far as Gary Neville is concerned, it’s ‘pray for Tottenham’ time as Ange Postecoglou’s beleaguered Spurs head to Liverpool on what could be a weekend of pure jubilation for the Premier League champions-elect.
At least, Tottenham will be under no requirement to perform the dreaded ‘guard of honour’.
Should Liverpool secure their second Premier League title on Sunday – and their first under Arne Slot – old rivals Chelsea may be forced into applauding the victorious Reds onto the pitch at Stamford Bridge in early-May.
After Arsenal’s drubbing of Ipswich Town last time out delayed the celebrations, Liverpool’s task is now about getting the job done as soon as possible.
And Gary Neville, an eight-time Premier League champion down the road at Manchester United, has very little doubt about Liverpool’s ability to make very light work of a Spurs side with five defeats in their last seven top-flight games.
At least, as Ange Postecoglou is a boyhood Liverpool fan, another trophy to add to their collection may feel like some form of consolation for the embattled Tottenham boss.
Gary Neville predicts Liverpool 4-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Now, it’s tempting to wonder what the most ‘Spursy’ sort of move would be.
To find themselves on the end of an Anfield obliteration? A mere footnote in Liverpool’s title story? Or a shock win away from home at the runaway leaders, handing North London neighbours Arsenal the briefest glint of hope.
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Hope that, after Arsenal slipped to a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace in midweek, barely even registers on the scale anymore.
While former Old Trafford skipper Roy Keane is predicting a comfortable 2-0 Liverpool victory, Neville feels that Tottenham would be lucky to escape the red side of Stanley Park with even a semblance of pride after what he feels will be a beating so brutal it may have the home fans pleading for mercy.
“A procession. It will be barbaric,” Neville says. “I think it will be 4-1. Liverpool will score four. It will be one of those celebratory [afternoons].”
Not quite as emphatic as Chelsea’s 8-0 shellacking of Wigan Athletic on the final day of the 2009/10 season, then, but not far off.
Neville admits he was wrong to doubt Arne Slot
Yet, Arne Slot has been ‘incredible’ stepping Jurgen Klopp’s shoes, building on his predecessors foundations and ensuring that the title can be secured with four games remaining.
“None of us can rewrite history,” the former England right-back said on The Gary Neville Podcast after Trent Alexander-Arnold fired Liverpool past Leicester City on Sunday.
“I don’t think there were many Liverpool fans who thought they could win the league, let alone anybody else.
“I don’t remember any pundit, analyst, journalist or fan saying that Liverpool will win the league. It was Man City or Arsenal. To do what they have done is very special and there’s nothing like being at Anfield, next Sunday, knowing you’ve got a game for the title with ones to spare.
“They’re not going to be pushed at the end, but that’s not their problem. That’s the problem of the others, the problem of City, the problem of Arsenal.
“I think, at the start of the season, I had [Liverpool] in fifth. I thought their would be just a natural fall off as there sometimes is when a Wenger leaves, or a Sir Alex Ferguson leaves. There is just a natural drop.
“That’s why I think the manager and coaches deserve enormous credit.”