Sunday 9 October 2016 19:05, UK
Jamie Carragher thinks it’s too early to write off Manchester United’s title chances ahead of their clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Monday Night Football next week.
Jose Mourinho's side started the season brightly with three straight wins but back-to back defeats to rivals Manchester City and Watford and last weekend's draw with Stoke have left them down in sixth, five points behind league leaders City.
On the other hand, Liverpool's title chances have been talked up in recent weeks after a run of four straight victories in the Premier League.
And Carragher thinks both sides will be challenging for top spot come the end of the season.
"It probably feels like that [Liverpool more likely to win title than United] now, because of how Liverpool have started the season, but it was only two or three days ago we were saying it was going to be a shoot-out for the league between United and City," Carragher told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I still think United will be right up there come the end of the season, the manager has got great experience of winning the Premier League, so I certainly wouldn't write Manchester United off at such an early stage.
"I think them, and hopefully Liverpool, will be up there fighting for the title."
Liverpool's clash with Manchester United, which is live on Sky Sports 1 on Monday October 17, sees Jurgen Klopp and Mourinho go head-to-head and Carragher says the battle of the big-name managers will once again be crucial at Anfield.
"That's a talking point for every big game now, we knew at the start of the season how important the names were, how big the names were, some of the biggest in world football," Carragher said.
"We find ourselves talking about managers now more than players, which I think some people enjoy, some people think it's the players on the pitch.
"Whichever way you look at it, it just shows you how big the Premier League is."
Finally, Carragher thinks Liverpool will go into the Monday Night Football clash in confident mood after their excellent early season form.
"It is a big game, with a lot of new players in that side now," the former Liverpool defender added. "But it feels like in the Premier League every game is a big game now.
"This is extra special, under the lights at Anfield, and there's been some great games there, you think of the 3-3 game all that time ago. It will be a great atmosphere, and I think Liverpool will go in confident with the way they're playing.
"But it's always difficult on the back of international games - who you bring back, what time they come back, did anyone pick up any injuries, so that will have bearing too."
Jamie Carragher was speaking at a 23 Foundation charity match at Bootle FC where a team of Liverpool legends, including John Barnes and Jason McAteer, took on a select XI, who paid to pay against their heroes.
