Pressure appears to be mounting on Liverpool
AFTER TWO DRAWS RED DEVILS NOT CERTAIN TO BEAT CHERRIES
Just a few weeks ago Liverpool at home to Bournemouth would have been considered a banker bet, particularly given the Red Devils have won eight of their previous 10 meetings with the Cherries.
But as the race for the English Premier League title intensifies, so Jurgen Klopp’s side are feeling the heat and suddenly tomorrow’s meeting at Anfield is not as clear cut as would normally be the case, leaving TAB Soccer 6 punters a tough choice.
At one stage seven points clear, Liverpool have drawn their last two games and are suddenly behind champions Manchester City on goal difference, albeit Pep Guardiola’s team have played one match more.
They play Chelsea at home on Sunday in a game in which City could slip again as they have done before this season, notably at home to Crystal Palace in December and away to Newcastle.
But Liverpool would be better served trying to inject some confidence back into their own ranks and get their noses back out in front.
There are issues at right back. Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold are injured with Jordan Henderson and James Milner having to fill-in as makeshift full-backs, but maybe most of it is in the mind.
“For me, it’s more about how the players handle it. City players have been there and done that, Liverpool haven’t won the title for 29 years and that will weigh heavily on their shoulders,” said soccer pundit Jamie Redknapp this week.
Fellow former England international Martin Keown added: “Klopp appeared a little frantic on Monday (during the 1-1 draw at West Ham). I just hope that the pressure does not suffocate him and his players.”
Bookies in the UK now price City at 5-6 to win the title with Liverpool out to 11-10 after their recent run of form, while third-placed Tottenham are 25/1.
Spurs have a home game against Leicester City on Sunday - another potential banana skin for a top-three club.