Let’s face it—when Gary Neville is on commentary for a Liverpool game, you just know the rivalry is bubbling under the surface. Sure, he’s paid to be “neutral,” but can we really expect that from a Manchester United legend? The man has literally made a career out of hating Liverpool.
So, when Neville took his seat in the Sky Sports booth for Liverpool’s match against Chelsea, it didn’t take long for the complaints to roll in. Whether it was his commentary on Salah’s “dive” or the lack of praise for Trent’s defending, Liverpool fans were quick to call out his perceived bias, suggesting that Neville’s red-tinted glasses were firmly in place.
Now, was it really biased, or just Neville being brutally honest about what he saw? After all, as a pundit, he’s got to give his opinions—unfiltered. But when you’re a United legend, can you ever be truly impartial when Liverpool is on the pitch? That’s the million-pound question.
Liverpool vs Chelsea – Slot’s men edge past promising Chelsea
Liverpool defeated the London outfit by 2 goals to one at their home, Anfield, this Sunday evening. Chelsea, who looked really good in terms of their attacking patterns in the first half, were in the game for many parts, but with goals from Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones, the Reds ultimately did enough to cruise past the Chelsea side.
The game had many controversial moments, with Salah being involved in a handful. The Egyptian converted from the spot after a rightfully given foul. But there were other moments that were equally questionable as well. And of course, a certain Gary Neville was there at the commentary booth to witness and comment upon all of it.
Bias #1 The obvious one: The Mo Salah ‘Dive’
There was a moment in the first half at Anfield where Levi Colwill dangled his leg twice in an attempt to stop Mo Salah, to which the Egyptian managed to get past the first challenge but went down in the second inside the box. Naturally, the Anfield faithful felt that it should have been a foul and a penalty; however, the referee chose not to. But this was not the catalyst for their frustrations; rather, it was Gary Neville’s comment of the foul. Neville said that the winger was looking for a contact and that the challenge was ‘too soft’ on the Egyptian’s part, especially his fall/reaction to the contact made.
In reaction to this, Liverpool fans were too quick to call out this by arguing the contact was indeed qualifying for a penalty, and other similar instances have been previously awarded as a penalty. Some fans even argued against the hypocrisy of Neville when he praised England No. 1 striker Harry Kane for receiving a similar contact and penalty in a game previously.
Bias #2: Asking Nunez to be booked/sent off.
Darwin Nunez is a spectacle in itself. The Uruguayan is a literal bulldog with the aim of Bambi on ice. Despite his deficiencies in front of goal, the forward is loved by Liverpool fans for his constant running, work ethic, and offensive plays. And so he did, against Chelsea this weekend.
The Liverpool striker was full of passion and energy when he came on for Jota in the match. So, as a result, there were instances where the striker got involved in challenges, and this received further criticism from Neville. The Manchester United legend suggested that Nunez, too, like Salah, was going down very easily and that he should have even received a yellow card.
To this Liverpool fans have been quick to point out that Neville’s reaction to the same fouls of his club players (like Bruno Fernandes) has been different from what he expressed, especially in terms of Nunez and Salah.
Bias #3 No comment on Trent Defending
Imagine getting a Mullet haircut. Good at the front, bad at the back. Trent Alexander Arnold is the same. He’s good at the forward side of his play, but not so at the back while defending. However, the England right back fairly handled Jadon Sancho and Pedro Neto all game on his flank, deservedly getting recognition from the Liverpool fans.
However, Neville and company (the likes of Roy Keane, etc.), who have always been on the back of the Liverpool Academy graduate for his defending, were seen to be silent over giving Trent his flowers for his defending this time out. Fans were quick to point this one out as well.
Bias #4 Back handed compliment for Liverpool midfield.
Earlier this season, Neville suggested that Manchester United’s midfield is better than Liverpool’s midfield of McAlister, Szoboszlai, and Endo/Gravenberch on paper in a Sky Sports episode. Funnily enough, the same midfield ran out United as they beat them at Old Trafford by 3 goals to nil, few weeks back.
The Manchester United veteran later in The Gary Nevile Podcast by Sky Sports also further commented on the Liverpool midfield to host Peter Drury after their game this Sunday. Although he gave them collective credit for performing on the night as a midfield unit, he suggested a subliminal that portrayed that individually, a McAlister or a Szoboszlai are not established individuals. This has further substantiated the ‘bias’ shouts from Liverpool fans for the Mancunian academy product.
Fans have argued that one of those individuals is a World Cup winner (McAlister) and the other is the captain of his country (Hungary), which clearly establishes them as seasoned individuals in their own sense and that they are not simply existing because of a functional style of play/team.
This has thus led to the majority of the Liverpool fans asking for Nevile to be removed from all Liverpool matchday events and their potential media-related activities, including commentating on their live games in the season, as they believe the 49-year-old to be not capable of cutting pass through his bias and viewing the game accordingly.
Gary Neville – Generational Hater or just an honest Klopp fanatic?
So, what is Gary then? Is he really a one-in-a kind generational hater, courtesy of his hatred for his scouser rivals due to his Mancunian links? Or is he just giving out his real opinions and giving his authentic view as a pundit?
To be fair, football is very subjective, like most art, and thus to completely single out someone for their views about some topics might not be the best approach. For instance, Neville has always praised Jurgen Klopp and his Liverpool teams throughout time for their style of play and how they have the only team to challenge the juggernaut of a Manchester City team, led by Pep, in these past 8 years.
He also praised Curtis Jones for his display during his commentary in the game vs. Chelsea, calling him their best player for the night. He has also praised Liverpool for their defending heroics this season, plauding them for conceding fewer goals and calling their defense ‘solid”.
So, he has given his fair share of positive feedback about Liverpool as a team as well. But, on the other hand, the constant outrageous comments on fouls, which probably were indeed rightful fouls, and calling Liverpool players soft for the same is something that does not look good in his favour.
Let’s be real—Neville’s never going to be Liverpool’s biggest fan, and that’s expected. Rivalries in football run deep. But here’s the thing: being a rival and being a pundit don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Look at Jamie Carragher—another club legend, but he’s been fair and balanced when commenting on United at times. Sure, it’s not easy to set aside those deep-rooted biases, but as a professional pundit, it’s all about keeping it fair.
Maybe Neville will one day surprise us with a more balanced approach to Liverpool games—after all, rivalries shouldn’t cloud good judgment. But for now, it seems Liverpool fans will have to endure his sharp takes. Ultimately, it’s not about silencing Neville, but rather about asking for fairness in assessment. And when you’re a legend of the game, rivalries or not, that’s what the job calls for—speaking the truth, whether it’s easy or not.