Football Insights - David James
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Football Insights - David James

The potential title decider between Manchester City and Liverpool will take center stage this weekend in the Premier League and with just one point separating the two teams there will be plenty at stake on Sunday afternoon at the Etihad. Former Liverpool and England star David James talks exclusively to Genting Casino ahead of the highly anticipated clash. Check out Davids thoughts below.



David James: Man City vs Liverpool is huge, but I wouldn't call it a title decider as there's still eight games left

'I can't say it's a title decider because there are still eight or nine games.

"I think it depends who wins. On a simple basis that if Liverpool win, it's difficult to see them losing the title.

"We always have to use the past as an indicator. If you look at them a couple years ago, they were on a 18-game winning streak, they're capable of going all the way until the end of the season and winning all their games.

"I was at the Atletico Madrid game and I also went to two Chelsea matches this season, I know City are capable of suffocating teams and they could do it against Liverpool."

 

David James: I wouldn't put Salah in my combined City vs Liverpool XI

"I've put Alisson above Ederson based on the fact that Alisson has had more to do. If you take into consideration how important Alisson has been in keeping clean sheets and stopping in the last few months.

"I think in the last few games Ederson's kicked the ball over the halfway line twice. 

"I'd have Robertson at left-back over Joao Cancelo as he doesn't shoot as much and therefore does't give the ball away as much.

"I'd have Luis Diaz and Virgil van Dijk. I'd go Kyle Walker and the reason being is that there's going to be a lot of space and he'll need to get back and defend.

"I love Trent Alexander-Arnold going forward and he's a decent defender, but I'd just edge Walker over him.

"I'll go with all of the City midfield, so Rodri, KDB and Bernardo Silva in midfield.

"I'd go Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Luis Diaz up front, so no Mo Salah!

"But if you ask me again in half an hour, I'd probably say a completely different team!"

4-3-3: Alisson, Andy Robertson, Ruben Dias, Virgil van Dijk Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rodri, Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Luis Diaz

 

David James: Mo Salah could consider options if big offer comes calling elsewhere, but success factor at Liverpool should sway him

"Liverpool will not cut Mo Salah short so far as their business model goes. They know that Salah is worth a certain price and if everyone accepts that and he signs, everyone's happy.

"If Mo Salah doesn't accept that and wants more money, then I think he'll have to go somewhere else which will be frustrating as he loves the club.

"He'll undoubtedly be the highest paid player and hopefully the success of being at Liverpool outweighs any improvement in the contract offer.

"Tell me another club in the world who has a better attraction then Liverpool football club?"

 

David James: Jack Grealish will eventually become huge player under Pep, he was never going to be a Luis Diaz

"The price tag is always going to lead the conversation, but City are top of the league and potentially on a treble.

"Jack has been a big part of that. No one has been a regular starter and Kevin De Bruyne, Foden and Sterling have all had parts where their not playing.

"It's been a successful move. He's young enough and the development stage under Pep will take time, it's not like a Diaz situation at Liverpool."



David James: Kylian Mbappe could be a great option at Man City and get even better under Pep Guardiola

"From a Liverpool perspective wages could be a stumbling block - and that's not to say they are cheap by any stretch.

"He can demand a lot more money from other clubs, and then you look at where he can fit into that Manchester City side.

"He comes into the same bracket as Erling Haaland in the fact he can become even better under the right coach who could make him even better."

 

David James: People assumed Villa would automatically get into European places after Steven Gerrard's strong start

"Aston Villa and Steven Gerrard were the perfect match of ambition.

"The interesting thing is because he had a very good beginning people assumed he could continue it for the rest of the season and that they'd finish in the top six.

"He's got them out of the relegation issue and with the season drawing to an end, he will have a proper time to solve the issues within the teams.

"This season was more about solidifying the team and getting his information across and looking for next season as a springboard and assault on Europe.

"It's a perfect marriage between Steve Gerrard on Aston Villa."

 

David James: Aston Villa should sign Philippe Coutinho but his injury record is a worry

"I do think he should sign permanently but I'm always wary of players staying on loan.

"Judging by what I've seen fitness could be an issue. From what I've seen he's played fantastically for an hour and then fitness seems to be an issue.

"It's whether or not Coutinho can be kept fully fit and if you do, Steven Gerrard will have a side challenging for European places."

 

David James: West Ham only hopes of top four is if Arsenal of Spurs slip up or by winning Europa League

"I think top four is unrealistic, but there's a chance. It will be more to do with the failure of Spurs and Arsenal if they do it.

"A more realistic way they'll do it is if they qualify through the Europa League as the one-off games give them a better chance.

"I do think it's now unrealistic, though."

 

David James: Barcelona look scary, but West Ham can still win Europa League, why not?

"I was watching some footage of Barcelona the other day and they look scary.

"In two-legged affairs, you just need to play well. I think the environment at West Ham under David Moyes is so good at the moment, so why not?

"The potential of playing Barcelona in a  two-legged affair is why they went to the London Stadium.

"I'd always say they can do it and they've got a great chance."

 

David James: Jordan Pickford deserves to be England number one over Aaron Ramsale as he's been fantastic for the Three Lions

"I think a lot of the discourse is that Jordan Pickford hasn't let the country down, I'm not buying that.

"Pickford has been superb for England and I go back to the Euro 2020 final and he played as well as Gianluigi Donnarumma but he got the Player of the Match award and saved just as many penalties, but ended up on the losing side.

"He's been fantastic for England. Gareth Southgate will give Aaron Ramsdale time to prove himself but playing for Arsenal is one thing and replicating it on the international stage is another."

 

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