Gary Neville insists Liverpool are 'NOT title contenders' this season

Gary Neville has claimed Liverpool are 'not title contenders' and Jurgen Klopp's side will fall away with 'the pretenders' in the next four months.

The Reds take on Man City in an enormous clash at the Etihad Stadium today as Liverpool look to go top of the Premier League table.

Klopp's men have enjoyed a fantastic start to the league this season, losing only once and winning eight times. 

Despite this, former Man United defender Neville has proposed that Liverpool will not be challenging for the title the season. 

'These next four months are where the pretenders fall away. I don’t think we’re watching champions in Jurgen Klopp’s team but we’re watching a team that could potentially be champions in the next couple of years,' he said.

Asked what he thought of Man City's start to the season, he said: 'I’ve not been surprised [by hunger] as Pep Guardiola creates that at every club but there have been wobbles on the way. 

'I think after a Treble, sitting top of the league after 12 games, they’ll be really happy. We’re not quite sure if it’s as a good a team losing Gundogan and Mahrez and we’re not sure yet is Doku is going to be sensational.'

Speaking about the absence of England defender John Stones, he added: 'They don’t handle it as well as they don’t have the natural player to step in there and it looks a little bit awkward when others do. 

'That’s a problem for City. When Rico Lewis does it, they lose something physically. I like City when they’ve got the four big defenders and Stones has to be one of them. Stones has fluidity in midfield.'

However, discussing Neville's comments regarding Liverpool, both Daniel Sturridge and Micah Richards disagreed.

Sturridge said: 'I think this going to be a long season for Liverpool to keep performing the way they are performing. I do think Liverpool can mount a title challenge.'

Richards similarly echoed: 'They’ve only conceded ten goals this season. Van Dijk has been excellent and he’s back to his best now. 

'But I still think Man City are the ones, even without De Bruyne, losing Rodri, they’ve got over those bumps. Liverpool, Arsenal, just behind.'