ALMIGHTY Nev and Carra the
GARY NEVILLE and Jamie Carragher are football’s odd couple.
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 showdown with Manchester United at Anfield today is as entertaining as it is educational.
Social distancing meant the two former England defenders were sat 30 miles apart. But the pride, passion and tribalism was unmistakable as they discussed a fixture 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 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 in third place, 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 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: “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.
“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.”
Both 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 added: “United are the type of club that will ruin a record like that.”
CONFIDENT: Gary Neville tips United