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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Josh Challies

Gary Neville identifies what's changed about Liverpool fans

Gary Neville believes that Liverpool fans are a lot more confident in the current side than they have been in previous years.

The Reds are currently locked in a fierce battle with Manchester City for the Premier League title, as they seek to end a 29-year wait for a league title.

Liverpool have been in positions for a title-hunt previously, notably in 2013-14 under Brendan Rodgers and in the 2008-09 season when they tussled with Manchester United, but the general consensus is that this year is the biggest opportunity to end years without glory .

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Neville feels similarly, as he considers the previous title hunters to have lacked the credibility to win the Premier League but feels the mindset of the fans has changed.

Liverpool fans at the 2018 Champions League final (David Ramos/Getty Images)

“I think there’s a lot more trust in this team. They trust this team a lot more than they have in the past. Before it was almost hope, whereas now there’s a feeling of reliability about what this team is doing defensively,” he told Sky Sports.

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“In the last few years Liverpool have not been defending well enough to mount a challenge for a title. They’re now fantastic defensively, great going forward and have all the hallmarks of a team that can win the championship.

“Now they have to hold their nerve. It was nerve wracking in the stadium last Sunday in the Tottenham game , you could feel that anxiety every time Tottenham attacked. It will build in the next few weeks but they’re a lot more calm than they were a few years ago when emotion took over and that’s never a good thing in any sport.”

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