As Liverpool Return To Winning Ways, Ex-Striker Makes Interesting Statement Involving Manchester United

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch still believes Jurgen Klopp’s men are in the "title hunt" and will finish above arch-rivals Manchester United.

After thrashing Crystal Palace 7-0 in the third week of December, Liverpool went without a win in five straight matches in the 2020-21 Premier League, drawing three and losing two and in the process, the defending champions fell behind Manchester City and United in the title race.

However, on Thursday, Liverpool returned to doing what they do best – scoring goals as the Reds defeated Tottenham 3-1 in an away game to return to fourth place in the league table.

"I believed it when they were still going through this bad spell. I had a little bet with Rio [Ferdinand] last night. I still think they will finish above United. I think they’re still in the title hunt. I think they have got some top players. I thought Henderson dropping into center-back tonight was fantastic and, yeah, it’s going to be a struggle at times because Nat Phillips had to come on and I’m not sure what happened with Matip. They’re definitely struggling in that area, but when you’ve got the attacking talent they have on display you cannot write them off," the ex-Reds playmaker Crouch was quoted by Goal, as saying after Liverpool’s 3-1 win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Speaking about Liverpool’s chances of being title contenders in the ongoing campaign, former Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand backed Klopp’s side.

"'Is their season over in terms of challenging?' I think they have answered that emphatically tonight. Yes, they were given some gifts tonight but you’ve got to be there to take them. They punished this Spurs team and Liverpool are going to be there or thereabouts. When you have got a strikeforce like this, yes they have had a bit of a blip in form, a little downturn in form in front of goal, but these guys are seasoned at knowing how to be around the top of the Premier League," added Ferdinand.

Earlier this week, Manchester United missed a chance of returning to the top of the table after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side lost to Sheffield United 2-1. After the final whistle at Old Trafford, Ferdinand slammed his former club for their poor performance, while he also had singled out Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial for their dismal show as he termed the duo being "invisible" throughout the game.

Manchester City may be just one point clear at the top, but Pep Guardiola’s side still has a game in hand. While Man Utd are placed second with 40 points, ahead of Leicester City with 39 points and Liverpool with 37 points.