Gary Neville believes Newcastle could MISS OUT on the top four in favour of Liverpool and Manchester United… as Jamie Carragher agrees and claims it will be a ‘big worry’ if they drop points against Brighton on Thursday
- The Premier League is heading into the final stages of a captivating campaign
- Liverpool are pushing Newcastle and Manchester United in the top four battle
- Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher believe the Reds could edge out Newcastle
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have claimed Newcastle are more likely to drop out of the top four than Manchester United before the end of the season.
Both teams have enjoyed impressive campaigns and have spent most of the recent months in the top four, but are now under pressure after a superb run of form from Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s side have won seven league games in a row, scoring 20 goals in the process and look back to their best after a difficult season.
The Reds are still one point behind Newcastle in third and Manchester United in fourth having played a game more, meaning their fate is out of their hands, but both Neville and Carragher insisted they could see a situation where Eddie Howe‘s side miss out on qualifying for the Champions League.
‘I think Newcastle have been unbelievable all season,’ Carragher told Monday Night Football.
Gary Neville (right) and Jamie Carragher (left) have both claimed Newcastle are more likely to drop out of the top four than Manchester United
Both are under pressure from Liverpool, who have put together a seven-game winning streak
‘They’ve been one of the teams I’ve looked forward to watching, they’ve been outstanding. Even when they drop points it’s not necessarily they play badly they just drop points.
‘But yeah I think that Brighton game (on Thursday) is absolutely huge and if they drop points in that I think there will be a big worry.’
Neville backed up Carragher’s view and felt the fixtures edged in the favour Erik ten Hag’s side.
Newcastle face Brighton and Leicester at home, along with Chelsea away, while Manchester United travel to Bournemouth before hosting Chelsea and Fulham to end the season.
‘Newcastle is a little bit of a wobble by losing to Arsenal and drawing at Leeds so I’d say probably Newcastle (to miss out) and that’s not me being overconfident, but I think I’d be more comfortable if I was United than Newcastle looking at it with the games.
The pundits hailed Newcastle but felt they are most under threat from Jurgen Klopp’s side
Neville felt United’s final fixtures put them in pole position to return to the Champions League
‘Chelsea away last game of the season. I know Chelsea have been awful but it’s still quite difficult.’
Neville continued: ‘I mean the unthinkable could happen (United missing out on the top four). I’ve always expected Liverpool to go on this run and finish in top four. I actually thought Newcastle would drop off before this but they’ve been sensational.
‘I thought Man United would get in the top four so it’d be harsh on Newcastle if they didn’t and obviously United have comfortable games there.
‘They’ve got a team near the bottom of the league and two games at home so they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot if they don’t get in the top four.’
