‘A momentum shifter’: Gary Neville’s Ryder Cup analogy to predict Liverpool vs Arsenal title race

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

The title race has become even more interesting following Liverpool’s loss and Arsenal’s win this weekend.While it may only be September, the early signs of how this race will shape up have started to emerge with the Reds’ 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace setting the tone for the weekend after it ended their unbeaten run.The Gunners took their opportunity and, just like their title rivals, scored a late winner through Gabriel Magalhaes against Newcastle United to boost their hopes of being competitive in the race for the Premier League title.Liverpool’s setback against the South London club was a blow, but given the fact that they had not played well at Selhurst Park and a loss like this seemed inevitable, it has definitely not dampened expectations.Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesArne Slot faced a similar situation last year in which his side were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest, but that was seen as a turning point for the side, which pushed them on to becoming champions.Gary Neville uses Ryder Cup to explain ‘momentum shifter’ for Arsenal in Liverpool title raceBoth games this weekend were not the only sporting events that captured the attention of fans, with the golfing event, the Ryder Cup, taking place over the weekend, with Team Europe defeating Team America overnight in a dominant display.It was clearly an event on the minds of pundits and commentators alike, with Gary Neville using it as a vehicle to describe his feelings on how the weekend’s results have affected both sides.READ MORE: Wayne Rooney makes ‘superstar’ Hugo Ekitike claim and challenges Alexander Isak at LiverpoolSpeaking on the Gary Neville Podcast, the 50-year-old spoke about how the defeat for the Merseyside club will give Mikel Arteta and his side a mental advantage early on in what he describes as a big moment.Using the Ryder Cup as an analogy, Neville explained: “I was watching the golf last night, and I don’t watch a bit of golf. But watching Europe and seeing that element of seeing someone miss a putt, it is certainly a lot easier than when they putt it in.

That’s what Liverpool did: they missed a putt yesterday. They missed a four-footer or an eight-footer, (which) Crystal Palace is now.“So for Arsenal to come here today, I’ve said before, I feel quite animated because I feel like I’ve seen a swing, a momentum shifter.“What I think Liverpool realised tonight is that they are probably going to be in with a bigger fight than maybe they thought, maybe they thought they were in for a battle anyway, that they were going to have it easy.

I think it is a big moment, it may not prove to be at the end of the season, we may be getting carried away over nothing.”Why does this Premier League title race feel different?The celebrations from Arteta’s team and the disappointed reactions from Slot’s side felt like they were late into April, given how much both teams felt the impact of the results, but there are still eight months of action to come.It is odd for a race to the title to feel so important so early on, but it may make sense given how last season panned out.READ MORE: Arne Slot questioned over Liverpool decision which ‘doesn’t make any sense’ against Crystal PalaceIn every season, getting points on the board early is always the aim, which Liverpool fans will know from close title races with Manchester City over the years; however, it was proven that when the Reds won the title, an early run of wins was necessary.As pressure has started to mount from the media and some sections of fans for the Spaniard to win them a title of some sort, it feels like Arteta needs this, and he may believe this season is genuinely his time.With a confident Slot coming off the back of his first league title in his inaugural season, his confidence and motivation to retain his crown add up to a tight race at the top of the table.No one can predict what can happen so far, but the signs are there that this could be a real fight for the ages to be crowned the best in England.