Gary Neville was on punditry duty for Liverpool's heavy defeat to Premier League title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium
Gary Neville delivered a brutal Liverpool verdict during their defeat to Manchester City
Gary Neville delivered a brutal Liverpool verdict during their defeat to Manchester City
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Gary Neville has confessed he did something during Manchester City's commanding victory over Liverpool that he rarely does. Strikes from Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku at the Etihad Stadium secured a vital three points for Pep Guardiola in his 1000th match as a manager.
The result has lifted City into second place in the Premier League standings, trailing leaders Arsenal by four points, while Liverpool are eighth. However, the final scoreline might have looked considerably different had Virgil van Dijk's header not been ruled out for offside.
Neville expressed his opinion emphatically on the incident, with former Premier League official Mike Dean taking a different view. "I think he is outside the eyeline of the goalkeeper," said Neville on Sky Sports. "The goalkeeper is not getting anywhere near that. He had a clear line of sight."
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Dean replied: "I kind of agree with you there guys. The only thing I would say is that because he's in the six-yard area of the penalty area, with him being in front of the keeper as he heads the ball. It's been given offside on the field, it's an offside decision.".
City capitalised on that contentious ruling before half-time when Gonzalez struck from range as his shot deflected in off Van Dijk. Haaland had already given City the lead earlier in the opening period despite squandering an early spot-kick.
Doku sealed victory in spectacular fashion for the hosts with a long-range curling strike after cutting inside from the left flank. Neville was particularly impressed by his goal, which prompted him to break one of his own punditry principles.
Conor Bradley of Liverpool competes for the ball with Jeremy Doku of Manchester City
Conor Bradley of Liverpool competes for the ball with Jeremy Doku of Manchester City(Image: (Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images))
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Discussing the strike, Neville said: "It is dazzling from Doku! I've never given the man-of-the-match award out after 62 minutes, but l think l will today. He has been sensational."
As the final whistle approached, Neville delivered a decisive title verdict, with City having secured seven victories from their previous eight Premier League fixtures while Liverpool have already suffered five league defeats.
"It was about which of these two clubs were going to emerge as Arsenal's nearest challengers and could they send a message to the Gunners," he said.
"Pep Guardiola, in his 1000th game as a manager, his team and his staff, have done that. It's a really good day for Guardiola and Man City, but it's a difficult day for Arne Slot and Liverpool."
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