“For Ian Wright to stand there and not pull him up” – Gary Neville thinks Jamie Carragher’s Liverpool accusation is ‘unbelievable’
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Premier League title rivals Manchester City on Sunday, which could be the last time Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola face each other.
Gary Neville dismissed Jamie Carragher’s suggestion that Liverpool versus Manchester City has been a larger rivalry than Manchester United vs Arsenal in the early 2000s, describing City’s success since 2018 as a “absolute demolition”.
Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola’s teams produced another Premier League classic at Anfield on Sunday afternoon, drawing 1-1 thanks to strikes from John Stones and Alexis MacAllister.
It means that after 28 games, Liverpool is second in the Premier League table, tied on points with leaders Arsenal but trailing on goal difference. City, meanwhile, sit third, one point behind Klopp and Mikel Arteta’s teams.
Carragher spoke on Monday Night Football on Liverpool and City’s head-to-head encounters since 2018, highlighting Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat at the Etihad in January 2019 and the 2-2 tie at Anfield in October 2021.
However, Neville, who was a member of United’s league title victories in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003, believed that the Red Devils’ rivalry with Arsenal in the early 2000s was more intense than Liverpool vs City.
“I mean Carragher’s statement that Liverpool-Manchester City over the last six years is the greatest rivalry is offensive,” Neville went on to say. “From 1998 to 2004, Arsenal won three titles, while Manchester United won four.” It was blood, thunder, and quality. Everything you could want in a rivalry.
“In the last six years, Liverpool has won one title. It’s been a complete demolishment. And for Ian Wright to stand there and not help him up is outrageous.”
But Carragher responded, “Listen, I said off the pitch there was a bigger rivalry, and they all didn’t like each other.” Neville was racing down the pitch, trying to get away from Patrick Vieira. In terms of quality, I believe they are better games. 100%. They never disappoint.”
And Ian Wright said, “You know what, Gary? I’m sitting on my Premier League medal and I’m fine with it. I’m cool with all the rivalry stuff. Let it go, brother.
Neville then joked, “Wrighty, we’ll have a Premier League winners’ party the next time on Monday Night Football.” He [Carragher] can leave.
