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Carragher, Keane name their Prem title favourites after Liverpool, Man City draw

Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane have unanimously agreed on the team to beat in this season’s Premier League title race following Sunday’s enthralling 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield.

The match at Anfield was goalless at the break but exploded into life after the break. Indeed, Mohamed Salah scored a goal of the season contender, only to be thwarted by Kevin De Bruyne as City twice fought back. Nonetheless, it left Carragher sending Jurgen Klopp a firm message over the Egyptian’s future.

Both sides will have been satisfied not to lose. Indeed, the draw keeps them within touching distance of early leaders Chelsea heading into the second international break of the season.

Chelsea have won five of their seven games, losing once, while Liverpool with four wins and three draws remain unbeaten.

However, both Carragher and Keane believe it is reigning champions Manchester City who are the team to beat.

Speaking after the Anfield thriller, Keane told Sky Sports: “It’s about the managers as well. Pep Guardiola’s track record is mind-boggling, he knows how to win football matches.

“They are a hard team to beat. Liverpool will no doubt be in the mix because they have lots of goal scorers.

“They conceded three against Brentford and two today, so that doesn’t look great. But they’ve got brilliant players going forward, world-class players.

“I still think all of these teams, Chelsea included, will do well to finish ahead of Man City.”

Liverpool legend Carragher added: “Man City are the team to beat. The game last week against Chelsea was a big one for me.

“It was a complete domination and it was similar for periods today in that first half. For me, they are the team to beat.”

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Keane claims both managers will be satisfied

Although City twice had to come from behind, they were the dominant team, especially in the first half. And the point they claimed at Anfield was certainly the least they deserved.

Nonetheless, Keane reckons both managers will be satisfied with the outcome. With the pair likely to be going toe-to-toe for the title, a defeat for either could have proved monumental in the grand scheme, albeit at this early stage.

As it was, the draw keeps them nicely tucked in behind Thomas Tuchel’s side.

“Both teams will be satisfied,” Keane added.

“There was a great reaction from Liverpool in the second half as they found some energy and scored two outstanding goals.

“Defensively it was poor from City but they then showed their quality to fight back so I think both managers will be pretty satisfied with the draw. It’s been a tough week for City – with three away games.

“Overall, I thought it was a brilliant match and probably a fair result. Liverpool had so much more energy – and that came from the supporters as well.

“They have the quality going forward but just their overall level was upped and they were smarter with their passes.

“They weren’t over-thinking it and they were hunting in packs whereas at the start of the game, they showed City too much respect.”

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