Gary Neville has admitted that the threatening 20th league title of Liverpool is the long -term debate about who is the most successful club in England, and says that it is a 'sobering' and painful moment associated with Manchester United for everyone.
Liverpool is about to become crowned Premier League champions, only needed to prevent the defeat against Tottenham in Anfield to secure the trophy with four more rounds of matches to play.
If they complete the job, this would be their second Premier League title, but their 20th English top flight championship in general, making them equal to Manchester United.
While United still has an equal number of domestic league titles, the superior European record of Liverpool, with six European cups to the three of United, will decisive the balance, according to Neville.
Neville, who made 602 performances for United during his gaming career, also warned that Liverpool should act as a wake-up call for those who are in charge.
Speaking at Sky Sports prior to Sunday's game, a Downbeat Neville admitted: 'You have to respect the team that won the title, they have been the best team.
'It is one of the great coaching performances that we have seen, arrive and do not get players, and still achieve this, you have to hand it over to him.
“But it's a sobering day.”
About the broader sense of Liverpool that reached 20 titles, Neville added: 'It is a huge deal. When you think of the importance of a competition title, the managers of Liverpool and United always talk about the fact that your bread and butter are the competition. You could debate about the most successful club when United was at 20.
'Liverpool clearly has more European cups, but the painful thing to say is that the debate is over for a period until United becomes successful again and wins competitions.
“It should cause real vibrations at Old Trafford. After today, Liverpool becomes the most successful club, and that should cause heartache and pain.
“It took a lot to stay ahead of Liverpool, and now that will have disappeared.”
Daniel Sturridge also spoke about the emotional meaning of the day before Liverpool fans, who could not celebrate their last title in 2020 because of the COVID-19 Pandemie.
Sturridge said: 'This is a day that they all dreamed of. The last time they couldn't celebrate, so to have the fans here and the solidarity is to feel what they want. '
On the game itself, Jamie Redknapp insisted that Liverpool would not settle for a cautious approach, even though he knew that only one point would secure the title.
He added: 'I don't feel that this team will play for a draw, especially at home. It feels like it has something at the end.
“They (titles) are hard to win and for Liverpool to do it in the first year, is downright phenomenal.”
Arne Slot succeeded Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool Manager last summer and won 37 of his first 51 games.