Gary Neville’s Liverpool claim after Arsenal’s late winner in Premier League title race

Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the season as they were beaten 2-1 by Crystal Palace, before Arsenal’s late win over Newcastle United cut the Reds’ lead at the top of the Premier League

Gary Neville offered a blunt five-word verdict on Liverpool after witnessing Arsenal snatch a dramatic late victory in the Premier League title battle.

The reigning champions suffered their maiden defeat of the campaign on Saturday, falling 2-1 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Merseysiders had built up a commanding five-point lead at the top of the table heading into Sunday’s matches, but that cushion has been trimmed following Arsenal’s triumph.

The Gunners clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory against Newcastle United in extraordinary fashion at St James’ Park, cutting the gap between themselves and Liverpool to merely two points. Arsenal found themselves trailing 1-0 as the clock ticked towards the 84th minute before strikes from Mikel Merino and Gabriel Magalhaes allowed Mikel Arteta’s side to secure all three points in the North East.

It was moments after Gabriel had fired home Arsenal’s decisive goal that Manchester United legend Neville delivered his verdict on Liverpool, reports the Mirror.

While commentating for Sky Sports, Neville observed: “Liverpool players’ hearts sinking slightly.”

Liverpool finished 10 points clear of Mikel Arteta’s side last season and will be eager to maintain a similar points advantage when the 2024/25 campaign reaches its conclusion. Liverpool’s attention now turns to their European commitment, with a trip to Turkey to face Galatasaray on Tuesday evening in the Champions League.

After that continental clash, the Reds return to Premier League duties next weekend with a journey to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in their final outing before the October international break.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have their own midweek Champions League encounter against Olympiacos to navigate. The Gunners will then welcome West Ham to north London for a capital derby before the two-week pause for international duty.

Arteta was buzzing after his side’s dramatic victory, declaring: “Unbelievable feeling. That’s what football is about. As a team when you get what you deserve right at the end, there’s not a better feeling than that.”

The Spaniard continued: “The belief, the conviction of the team that we are and how we can play various types of games and the team still can deliver and win it in a convincing way..”

He concluded: “For me today at one of the most difficult grounds – again, praise Newcastle, the way they play, compete, how difficult it is to play at this place, but the team really took their game to a different level and I’m very proud to see that.”