Gary Neville believes Jurgen Klopp will have to protect his young players in the coming weeks
The Reds are still in the better position - they are level on points with City at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand - but many people will consider Pep Guardiola’s side to be the favourites in the title race at this point.
They swept aside a team that is aiming to finish in the top four. It was a truly frightening performance from the reigning champions.
The back and forth battle between the two clubs promises to be an exciting ride and it could come down to which one is able to cope with the pressure best.
City, of course, know what it takes to win a Premier League title. But Liverpool haven’t been in this situation under Jurgen Klopp before.
The German will be relying on his experiences at Borussia Dortmund, where he won two Bundesliga titles, to guide him and his players.
And Gary Neville has suggested he take a leaf out of Sir Alex Ferguson’s book, too.
Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit said he believes Klopp will have to shield his young players from the media, like Ferguson did at Man United, to prevent them from having to cope with questions about the pressure.
“Winning the title is obviously about performance, but the mental side is huge,” Neville said.
“Our first title at Manchester United I never looked forward to it, I struggled with it, and so did other young players.
"Liverpool have to be prepared every time they drop a point that it will be suggested they are feeling the pressure.
“Pep Guardiola and Manchester City drop a point it will be suggested there is complacency and they can't get themselves up for defending the title.
"The nature of the questioning won't change. They have to expect that, and when the questions come, don't react to it. That's difficult in your first season.
"Sir Alex Ferguson shielded young players from the media and I think that's what Jurgen Klopp will have to do in the next four to six weeks."
Expect to see the likes of James Milner and Andrew Robertson, whose maturity defies his 24 years, in several interviews for the next month or so.
