Gary Neville has accused Jamie Carragher and Graeme Souness of “gloating like little children” following Liverpool’s 7-0 win over Manchester United. Liverpool clinched a record-breaking win over Manchester United, scoring six second-half goals at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. For 43 minutes, the game was goalless before Cody Gakpo broke the deadlock shortly before the break. From then on, Man Utd capitulated as Liverpool demolished their bitter rivals.
However, Neville did not agree with Souness and Carragher on what could be taken from the performances of the two sides. On the Sky Sports coverage, Souness began by referencing his prediction before the game that Liverpool would win comfortably. He then added: “Gary said off-air that you thought Liverpool played badly today.” Neville replied: “I didn’t say that. I said I thought first half Manchester United were the better team. I think that in the second half it was about Manchester United’s capitulation.”
Souness chimed back with: “So that had nothing to do with Liverpool playing well?” Before Neville qualified his view, adding: “I don’t think when Jurgen Klopp analyses that game tomorrow – the momentum from that he’ll take – but I don’t think he’ll think ‘we’re back’. I don’t think he’ll fall into that trap. They won’t get carried away off the back of that at all.”
Carragher then asked Neville: “Did Liverpool play well today?” Neville responded: “They played alright in the second half, no problem, they won the game 7-0. Congratulations.” Souness added: “You just said they didn’t play very well!” Neville replied: “My point is, when you get beat 7-0, it becomes about how bad the other team are. Manchester United in that second half – Luke Shaw, Varane, Martinez, Dalot, that midfield – they were an absolute shambles.”
Carragher hit back by saying: “You’ve got to give credit to the team that win 7.” But a prickly Neville replied: “I’ve given you credit James. You’ve won 7-0. Congratulations you’ve got three points, well done.” Souness then said: “I’ve never heard him call you James before. You’ve got him. You’ve got him.” Neville replied: “You’ve got your three points and you’re 7-0 and that’s fine. But I still think Liverpool in that first-half were really vulnerable. That was a shaky Liverpool in that first half.”
Souness attempted to dig further, adding: “So you think Man Utd were the better team in the first half?” And Neville replied: “I do.” Souness then finished the debate by saying: “Not a chance.”