FIERCEST RIVALRY Yes, we have a dislike for United but also a begrudging respect that will always be there

Neville: Liverpool were the team to beat and Anfield was always the best place to win for a United player

For 14 years, the Manc and the Scouser epitomised the biggest rivalry in English football where it matters most.

For the last seven, they have bounced brilliantly off each other to raise the bar in football punditry as Sky Sports’ go-to partnership from the gantry and in the studio.

To spend an hour in their company, dissecting Liverpool’s clash with Manchester United at Anfield, is as entertaining as it is educational.

Social distancing meant the two former England defenders were sitting 30 miles apart – but the pride, passion and tribalism was unmistakable as they discussed a game which pits the reigning champions against the team currently perched on top of the table.

“I’ve been trying to mute him for the last seven years,” was Neville’s withering response when his take that United were three signings away from being genuine title contenders prompted a cackle of laughter from Carragher.

“The greatest Liverpool of all time are sat three points behind a disastrous Manchester United team – and Carragher’s having a laugh.”

Later, when Neville suggested United’s fans had “a lockdown party” after Tuesday night’s win at Burnley took them to the summit, Carragher cut in again.

“What a headline!” he exclaimed. “United are having a party. One of the biggest clubs in the world having a party because they are top of the league after 17 games! Do we need to carry on?”

It was cut and thrust all the way, with no invitation for one-upmanship going unanswered.

Carragher insisted only two United players – Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford – were good enough to get into

Jurgen Klopp’s team. Neville responded by predicting the champions would finish the season third, behind both Manchester clubs.

But when both men spoke about what it means to represent the reds of Manchester and Merseyside at Anfield or Old Trafford, it was compelling.

“The thing that always stood out for me were the depths of despair if you were beaten and the joy if you won,” recalled Neville.

“Liverpool were always the team to beat and Anfield was always the best place to win for a Manchester United player.

“If you left Anfield or Old Trafford with a victory, you felt on top of the world. If you left with a defeat, you felt terrible. Even for the youth team. “Defeats to Liverpool hung around our club like a bad smell. Sir Alex Ferguson’s next team talk after a Liverpool defeat was never pleasant.

“He used to say, ‘If you win at Anfield, then you’ve got a great chance of winning the league’.”

Carragher’s recollections provoke the same kind of tingle.

He said: “My overriding memory is the atmosphere of the games, whether at Anfield or Old Trafford. “Liverpool v Man U will always be the biggest game of the season, but what makes this one bigger is that, for the first time in ages, it is first v second – and it could be a title race.

“But what struck me, as a player, was how similar the clubs are.

“Yes, we have real dislike for United. But we also have that begrudging respect as well – and I think that will always be there.”

Both Neville and Carragher think the title will be beyond Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.

But, while one feels the trophy will go

back to Manchester, decked in blue and white ribbons, the Liverpudlian believes it is staying put. Yet, despite Liverpool boasting an unbeaten home record in the Premier League that has now stretched to 67 games, Neville is confident. He said: “I always think United are the type of club that will ruin a record like that. “It wouldn’t surprise me if they went to Liverpool and won if they defend well because they have got the players who can score goals.” Cue another Carragher jibe. “To win a game, don’t you have to attack?” he asked. This time, Neville is ready and waiting. He said: “What Jamie wants is for United to go gung-ho so his mob can counter-attack. “If it’s 0-0 going into the latter part of the game, I’d fancy United to win it. “The worst thing that can happen on Sunday is that we end up joint top of the league. It’s no problem.”