Neville brands Carragher rivalry claim ‘offensive’ as Liverpool ‘demolished’ by Man City

Redaction Willow Austin
Published on 2024-03-11 23:51:19

Gary Neville criticized Jamie Carragher’s remarks on Monday Night Football regarding the rivalry between Liverpool and Manchester City, calling them “offensive”.

Ian Wright joined Carragher in analyzing Sunday’s 1-1 draw between the two teams, with Carragher asserting that the matches between Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s sides in recent seasons have been of the highest quality in the Premier League era.

Carragher expressed that the intensity and entertainment of these games surpass even the storied rivalry between Manchester United and Arsenal in the past.

Carragher said: “I don’t think we’ve seen games like this. And that’s not because Liverpool are involved.

“You go back to that rivalry between United and Arsenal, that was more fierce and aggressive between the players and managers. In terms of quality, intensity, entertainment… I don’t think we’ve seen this before.”

Neville, who was not present in the studio as he was on co-commentary duty for Chelsea’s win over Newcastle, was taken aback by Carragher’s statements and the fact that Wright did not challenge him.

“From ’98 to 2004, Arsenal won three titles. Manchester United won four. It was blood, thunder and quality. Everything that you’d want in a rivalry.

“Over the last six years, Liverpool have won one title. It’s been an absolute demolition. And for Ian Wright to stand there and not pull him up on it is unbelievable.”

Carragher defended his viewpoint by highlighting the off-pitch aspects of the rivalries and mentioning Neville’s encounters with Patrick Vieira.

Carragher hit back, saying: “I mean, listen, off the pitch, it was a bigger rivalry. They all didn’t like each other. He [Neville] was running down the tunnel trying to get away from [Patrick] Vieira…”

The former defender then doubled down on his assertion, adding: “In terms of quality, I think these are the better games. 100 per cent. They never, ever disappoint.”

In conclusion, the debate on the greatest rivalry in the Premier League continues, with contrasting opinions from Neville, Carragher, and Wright.

Despite differing views on the intensity and quality of past and present rivalries, one thing remains certain – the matches between Liverpool and Manchester City have provided top-notch entertainment and excitement in recent years.