Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher predict Liverpool will retain the EPL title

Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have both backed Liverpool to retain the Premier League title in their mid-season predictions.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds have a four-point lead at the summit of English football going into Christmas Day and made a statement to their rivals by beating Crystal Palace 7-0 away from home.

The former England defenders thought both Manchester clubs would make the top-four though Neville backed Jose Mourinho's Tottenham for the fourth Champions League spot, with Carragher opting for Frank Lampard's Chelsea.

Neville also surprised many by choosing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba as the 'One To Watch' in 2021, despite the player's agent saying he is set to leave Old Trafford in the coming months.

The former United defender told Sky Sports' Monday Night Football: 'I've said it for the last three years because I still want him to drive Manchester United forward and be the player that he can be at the club and drive them towards the title.

'That sounds laughable at this moment in time but that's what I would like to see him do.'

Carragher, meanwhile, picked Manchester City defender John Stones as his player to watch in the New Year, with the 26-year-old regaining Pep Guardiola's trust and the centre-back now has an outside chance of making England's Euro 2020 squad over the summer.

In terms of the Premier League relegation battle, both pundits believed Sheffield United and West Brom are set for the drop, with Carragher picking Fulham and his third demoted side with Neville choosing Graham Potter's Brighton.

Carragher was certain that Scott Parker's Cottagers were destined for the drop, with Neville demanding a forfeit for his Sky Sports pundit if the west Londoners end up staying in the top-flight.

Neville said: 'I think to be fair, it could be Fulham but the fact that he (Carragher) said there is nothing more sure than Fulham going down, it just made me go for someone else.

'And I want to know what the forfeit is if Fulham do stay up. You can't say that after one game that it's the most certain he's ever been about anything.'

Carragher offered to take Fulham owner Shahid Khan out for a meal if the Cottagers stay up at the end of the season.

Neville and Carragher also predicted that Gareth Southgate's England would reach the semi-finals of next summer's European Championships, with the former claiming Spain will win the tournament while the former Liverpool defender thinks France will make it a World Cup-Euros double.

The Three Lions have been placed in a group with Czech Republic, Croatia and neighbours Scotland with all of their first three games being played at Wembley.

Source: m.allfootballapp.com