Gary Neville believes Liverpool will need to lead the late in the season if they are to clinch a first title in 29 years.  And the former Manchester United defender has also explained the “key difference” between Jurgen Klopp’s men and title rivals Man City.  Liverpool returned to the top of the table with a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday.  Neville believes that the Reds are now letting in “avoidable goals” having dropped their performance levels in recent months. See how Liverpool’s players rated against Bournemouth HERE  “I said a few months ago that if Liverpool are to win the title then they need to have a lead going into the final few games of the season, ,” he said.  “If they are three or four points ahead with three to five games left then they have a really good chance. However, if they are behind City or even level then I think it will be City’s title, as they have the experience of holding their nerve.  “The key now is not just winning but how you are performing. If you drop points but actually played well still then you shouldn’t worry and we’ve seen that with City. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now  “Typically when they lose they’ve still played well, it is just that the opposition ‘keeper has had a worldie or and a striker has hit a stunner in.  “When Liverpool have dropped points recently it is due to them not being quite as good as they were. Recently they’ve started to allow their opponents chances on goal, and then letting in avoidable goals – that was not the case for the majority of the campaign.  “That is a key difference currently between the two sides.”  Neville believes that this has been the week things “got real” for Liverpool – and says the pressure is now on Klopp’s side to respond.  He told Sky Sports: “This week has truly brought the title race alive.  “I’ve felt we’ve been talking about it for months, but this week is when it really became a race with everything on the line.  “I thought it was nonsense ahead of the Manchester City vs Liverpool game when people said if Liverpool won then the title race was over. That result and now this week proves that.  “This has been a big swing week and if Manchester City can complete the week by beating Chelsea then they will feel so strong.  “This is the week it became real for Liverpool. Up to Christmas they were still treated as underdogs. In January the pressure of leading started to come on and they got through that well. But now all that focus is becoming intense and very real.  “I’m really enjoying how this is all panning out now and it is so exciting and intriguing to watch and find out what happens next.”

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