Manchester United legend Gary Neville has expressed concerns that Cole Palmer may face a tough challenge when Chelsea visits Anfield Stadium to play against Liverpool on October 20. Neville believes that Liverpool will apply aggressive tactics against Palmer in an attempt to unsettle him.
Cole Palmer’s Outstanding Performance for Chelsea
During the 2023-24 season, Palmer stood out as Chelsea’s top performer, contributing 22 goals and 11 assists in 33 Premier League matches. His impressive goal-scoring ability and creativity earned him the PFA Young Player of the Year award.
The 22-year-old has continued his exceptional form into the 2024-25 season, featuring in all seven of Chelsea’s Premier League games so far, scoring six goals and providing five assists. Palmer currently leads the league in direct goal involvements.
Gary Neville’s Warning for Cole Palmer at Liverpool
As Chelsea prepares to face Liverpool at the iconic Anfield Stadium after the international break, Neville, drawing from his own experience, issued a cautionary message to Palmer about the challenges he may face.
In an interview with NBC Sports, Neville stated:
“I always think that Anfield is the toughest place to find space. Considering Cole Palmer’s style of play and his ability to appear composed on the ball, it will be interesting to see how he copes at Anfield and how Liverpool approaches him.
“They will likely apply intense pressure on him and test his abilities. They will aim to deny him any opportunity to influence the game positively from the start. Anfield can be an intimidating environment where opposition players can struggle due to the crowd and atmosphere.”
Reflecting on his own encounters at Anfield, Neville added:
“I vividly recall playing at Anfield [as a player], and I believe it is the most challenging venue to visit. For a Chelsea team led by Maresca, this will pose a significant test for them. It will be intriguing to witness their performance in that setting.”
In their previous meeting at Anfield, Palmer and his Chelsea teammates experienced a tough lesson as Liverpool outperformed them, securing a 4-1 victory.
