Gary Neville thinks Liverpool players have shown weakness by 'biting' at awkward questions

Posted Saturday, February 09, 2019 by givemesport.com

After drawing back-to-back Premier League games against Leicester and West Ham, some football fans have started to suggest that Liverpool are 'bottling' another title race.

The Reds have also been knocked off the top spot by Manchester City and although Pep Guardiola's side have played an extra game, it seems the ball is back in their court.

There is a long way to go before the campaign concludes but that hasn't stopped fans of Liverpool's rivals from enjoying the apparent struggles.

The talk of Jurgen Klopp's side 'bottling' it has been so loud that it's even become a big theme in the media too.

Following a 1-1 draw away to the Hammers on Monday night, Liverpool players and their manager were asked if they were feeling the pressure of the title race.

It's a fair question to ask, but one that didn't sit well with defender Virgil van Dijk, who was on post-match media duty.

A FROSTY RESPONSE

"I am always enjoying it," he said, per the Independent, when asked whether his side were cracking under the pressure of the title race.

"You have to enjoy it. We are still in the race and City are as well. It is what it is. We have to keep going. What can we do? We take it game by game."

Clearly, the talk and the questions are starting to irk those at Anfield - and according to Gary Neville, that's a 'complete no-no in a title race'.

FEELING THE PRESSURE

"Post-match on Monday, the players bit at questions about pressure, it clearly rattled them and it showed," the pundit wrote for Sky Sports.

"Those questions do annoy you, but never show they annoy you - that's a complete no-no in a title race. Just bat them off and move on.

"Don't give anyone any excuse to think the pressure is getting to you."

So, Neville thinks Liverpool players are showing signs of feeling the pressure and in a week that Man City have gone back to the top, that mentality could play a huge part in deciding where the title ends up come May.