Gary Neville – The Empire of The Kop https://www.empireofthekop.com Blog about Liverpool F.C. (LFC) and the Kop from true supporters for supporters worldwide. Tue, 05 Dec 2023 16:43:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.9 95610221 Gary Neville cites Liverpool ‘factor’ which could be huge in title race with Arsenal and Man City https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/12/04/neville-liverpool-klopp-factor-title-race/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/12/04/neville-liverpool-klopp-factor-title-race/#respond Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:54:22 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245679 Gary Neville has named one crucial ‘factor’ which he thinks could potentially keep Liverpool in the Premier League title race for most of the season. A dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham at Anfield on Sunday kept the Reds within two points of leaders Arsenal and one ahead of Manchester City, who drew for a third […]

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Gary Neville has named one crucial ‘factor’ which he thinks could potentially keep Liverpool in the Premier League title race for most of the season.

A dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham at Anfield on Sunday kept the Reds within two points of leaders Arsenal and one ahead of Manchester City, who drew for a third successive top-flight game in a six-goal thriller at home to Tottenham.

In his eponymous podcast following the latter fixture, the Sky Sports pundit was asked by commentary colleague Peter Drury if he felt the Reds have the ‘wherewithal’ to go toe-to-tie with last season’s top two.

Neville wasn’t entirely convinced about our title prospects, but thinks that having a ‘proven’ winner in Jurgen Klopp could be our biggest asset.

He said: “Liverpool I’m not sure about, but then they’ve got Klopp, so I think that’s a factor because he can win and he’s proven he can win.

“Arsenal have still got to demonstrate in a run-in – and they’ve got to get to that run-in first – but they look like they’re on track to be in a run-in again. I’m more confident that this year they’ll handle a run-in than they did last year, because last year there’s no doubt they went under. They didn’t have enough.”

Neville added: “What I would want to see is Arsenal and City in a run-in again. If Liverpool are there as well it becomes a three-horse race, great, but usually in the last five or six games, it becomes two.”

Klopp’s experience of going the distance in title races against Man City could prove pivotal if the Reds find themselves in that situation again during the spring.

While Liverpool have twice taken Pep Guardiola’s side to the final day in the previous five campaigns, along with romping to the trophy in 2020, Arsenal fell away badly in the closing weeks of last term, so their physical and mental stamina to take it to the wire remains the biggest unknown among Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Any of those three teams could experience a drastic swing in form, for better or worse, in the coming months, but right now it looks as if they’re all capable of being genuine title contenders come the business end of the season.

You can see Neville’s comments below (from 9:24), via Sky Sports Premier League on YouTube:

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(Video) Neville’s LFC commentary shows Alexander-Arnold u-turn https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/26/neville-commentary-alexander-arnold-u-turn/ Sun, 26 Nov 2023 16:58:12 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245303 Gary Neville likes to think that he has authority to speak on every matter within football but when it comes to right-backs, he may have some grounds to discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold. Commentary after the Scouser’s goal against Manchester City, included this line from the former defender: “You think, ‘it’s the right-back’, but it’s not any old […]

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Gary Neville likes to think that he has authority to speak on every matter within football but when it comes to right-backs, he may have some grounds to discuss Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Commentary after the Scouser’s goal against Manchester City, included this line from the former defender: “You think, ‘it’s the right-back’, but it’s not any old right-back – it’s the right-back”.

READ MORE: (Video) “We are Scousers!” – Liverpool fans will love Tsimikas’ post-match interview

When we compare this to the comments the ex-Manchester United man made with Sky Sports in April, when he said: ‘I don’t know what to say about him anymore because his defensive play is that bad… You’re just asking for a little bit of competence and attention to your work”.

To go from there to being ‘the right-back’ in seven months shows that our vice captain is clearly doing something right and long may it last!

You can view Neville’s comments on Alexander-Arnold courtesy of Sky Sports (via Reddit user bradleynana):

Gary Neville: “He’s not just any Right back, he’s the Right back”.
byu/bradleynana inLiverpoolFC

📖 Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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(Video) Neville labels Klopp’s ‘super-influential’ favourite as ‘sensational football player’ after City display https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/26/neville-klopp-sensational-footballer/ Sun, 26 Nov 2023 08:14:11 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245260 You can’t get a point away to Manchester City without playing relatively well and the performance of one Liverpool player clearly impressed Gary Neville. Speaking on ‘The Gary Neville Podcast’, the former defender spoke about Trent Alexander-Arnold: “He’s night and day from me many ways, I’ve been critical of him at times. I expect the way […]

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You can’t get a point away to Manchester City without playing relatively well and the performance of one Liverpool player clearly impressed Gary Neville.

Speaking on ‘The Gary Neville Podcast’, the former defender spoke about Trent Alexander-Arnold: “He’s night and day from me many ways, I’ve been critical of him at times. I expect the way he plays football, this is a sensational football player and a striker of a ball that you just don’t see.

“City had a player injured today in Kevin De Bruyne who is world class in terms of delivery, striking of a ball and his passing. Trent Alexander-Arnold is the equal of him and he’s a right-back”.

READ MORE: (Video) Carragher says Liverpool stalwart is ‘extremely lucky’ after Man City incident

A day where he scored and received the man of the match award, also attracted praise from Jurgen Klopp who said (via liverpoolfc.com): ‘He played a really good game, super-influential’.

It’s great to see the Scouser be spoken of so highly and let’s hope that this great form continues in the coming weeks and months.

You can watch Neville’s comments on Alexander-Arnold via @SkySportsPL on X:

📖 Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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‘Has to improve…’ – Gary Neville critical of one Liverpool player after first-half moment v City https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/25/neville-criticises-nunez-first-touch-liverpool/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/25/neville-criticises-nunez-first-touch-liverpool/#comments Sat, 25 Nov 2023 13:03:06 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245233 Gary Neville was critical of one Liverpool player during the first half of today’s Premier League clash away to Manchester City. Just after the quarter-hour mark, Dominik Szoboszlai slipped a promising through ball into the path of Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan’s attempts to bring it under control were thwarted by a poor first touch, […]

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Gary Neville was critical of one Liverpool player during the first half of today’s Premier League clash away to Manchester City.

Just after the quarter-hour mark, Dominik Szoboszlai slipped a promising through ball into the path of Darwin Nunez, but the Uruguayan’s attempts to bring it under control were thwarted by a poor first touch, which enabled Kyle Walker to snuff out the danger.

Speaking on match coverage for Sky Sports (via live web commentary, 12:47), the ex-Manchester United defender said: “Nunez has to improve that bit. He is through on goal if his first touch is right.”

READ MORE: (Video) ‘One of my favourite teammates’ – Sturridge loved playing alongside ‘amazing’ Liverpool man

READ MORE: Liverpool lead race to sign South American pass master; club flew out to watch him recently

As hard as it is to agree with Neville when criticising Liverpool players, his verdict on that moment from Nunez is impossible to argue with.

The Uruguayan’s flawed first touch was punished a few minutes later when Erling Haaland took the most of the chance which came his way after excellent work by Nathan Ake.

The 24-year-old is still a tremendous striker with the ability to produce world-class finishes, but he’ll realise that there are imperfections to his game on which he needs to improve.

Against opposition like City, Liverpool simply can’t afford to spurn such promising chances.

🤩 EOTK FPL Gameweek 12 Review 🤩: Tsimikas benching frustration, Palmer bargain? Time to sell Heung-min Son?

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‘Could potentially…’ – Gary Neville drops exciting Liverpool prediction ahead of Man City clash https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/25/gary-neville-liverpool-champions-prediction/ Sat, 25 Nov 2023 11:49:35 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245229 Gary Neville has made an exciting prediction about Liverpool’s Premier League prospects ahead of this afternoon’s top-of-the-table showdown against Manchester City. First hosts second at the Etihad Stadium in a clash which feels as if the winner (if there is one) would lay down a serious marker of intent in the title race, with just […]

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Gary Neville has made an exciting prediction about Liverpool’s Premier League prospects ahead of this afternoon’s top-of-the-table showdown against Manchester City.

First hosts second at the Etihad Stadium in a clash which feels as if the winner (if there is one) would lay down a serious marker of intent in the title race, with just three points separating the top five going into this weekend’s fixtures.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the pundit doesn’t see the Reds as potential champions this season, but he reckons they mightn’t be too far away from adding to their 2020 triumph.

Neville said (via Sky Sports live web commentary, 11:07): “It’s been the most important Premier League fixture over the last six or seven years. These next four months are where the pretenders fall away.

“I don’t think we are watching champions in Jurgen Klopp’s team but we are watching a team that could potentially become champions in the next couple of years. They are going to give City a real tough game today.”

READ MORE: Mac Allister starts among 2 changes by Klopp – Liverpool team news v Man City confirmed

READ MORE: Liverpool lead race to sign South American pass master; club flew out to watch him recently

If Liverpool are to emerge victorious against City today, it’d feel like a massive statement in terms of our potential title prospects.

Pep Guardiola’s side have won all 23 matches they’ve played at the Etihad Stadium in this calendar year, while the Reds’ last Premier League win at the venue came in November 2015.

With seven top-flight matches between now the end of December, this upcoming five-week period should tell us plenty about LFC’s capability of dethroning this afternoon’s opponents as champions by the season’s end.

Liverpool surrendered all too meekly in this fixture last term, going down 4-1 at the start of April. Today offers the perfect chance to show how far we’ve come in the meantime and to measure ourselves against a City side who’ve dominated the division in recent years.

📊EOTK Stats Pack: Man City v Liverpool – Form guide, the Reds vs previous EPL champions and MORE

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‘If you said to me…’ – Gary Neville would yearn to have ‘amazing’ Liverpool idol at Man United https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/21/neville-klopp-liverpool-man-united/ Tue, 21 Nov 2023 08:45:25 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=245038 Gary Neville has named the one man at Liverpool who he’d ‘bring to Manchester United tomorrow’ if he could. The 48-year-old often enjoys taking a dig at the Merseysiders, but even he is in awe of Reds manager Jurgen Klopp for the job the German has done at Anfield. Speaking on The Daily Ketchup Podcast, […]

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Gary Neville has named the one man at Liverpool who he’d ‘bring to Manchester United tomorrow’ if he could.

The 48-year-old often enjoys taking a dig at the Merseysiders, but even he is in awe of Reds manager Jurgen Klopp for the job the German has done at Anfield.

Speaking on The Daily Ketchup Podcast, the Sky Sports pundit was asked to name who he feels is the best coach in the world at present.

Neville replied: “I’d say Jurgen Klopp. Jurgen Klopp works with a budget which is far less than Pep Guardiola. Pep Guardiola’s a genius, and he’ll be the one who’s remembered forever more. But Jurgen Klopp, for me, is an amazing manager.

“If you said to me which manager could I bring to Manchester United tomorrow, it would be Jurgen Klopp.”

READ MORE: (Video) Darwin Nunez casually executes sublime touch and finish in Uruguay training

READ MORE: ‘Sell him…’: 63y/o urges club to ‘take the money’ for £50m Liverpool target – on one condition

It speaks volumes for what Klopp has done at Liverpool that, even with Guardiola claiming five of the last six Premier League titles, Neville would still opt for the former to take over at Old Trafford – no prizes for guessing which manager deprived Man City of what’d now be six in a row.

While the 56-year-old has forged an indelible bond with the Anfield faithful throughout his eight-and-a-bit years at the club – and delivered plenty of tangible success in the form of major silverware – United have lurched through five coaches in that time with little to show for it, despite vast transfer spending.

Just as Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have done previously at other clubs, Klopp has reconstructed his Liverpool squad over the past couple of years to create what’s largely a different team from the first outstanding generation that he had on Merseyside.

The overhaul of the midfield and attack in particular has set up the Reds for a potential crack at winning trophies this season and forming the basis of what’ll hopefully be the second great side that the German has built at LFC.

If that turns out to be the case, expect Neville’s envy to grow even further, all while United perhaps move on to yet another manager if they dispense with Erik ten Hag in the meantime!

🤩 EOTK FPL Gameweek 12 Review 🤩: Tsimikas benching frustration, Palmer bargain? Time to sell Heung-min Son?

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(Video) ‘Pep or Klopp’ – Carragher and Neville pick favourite manager https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/15/pep-klopp-carragher-neville/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/15/pep-klopp-carragher-neville/#comments Wed, 15 Nov 2023 15:25:47 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=244790 It’s one of the biggest debates in the modern era, who’s the better manager between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp – with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both now sharing their thoughts. In a quickfire question and answer session with Now, the duo were asked for a one word answer to a series of questions. […]

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It’s one of the biggest debates in the modern era, who’s the better manager between Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp – with Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville both now sharing their thoughts.

In a quickfire question and answer session with Now, the duo were asked for a one word answer to a series of questions.

READ MORE: (Video) Liverpool youngster scores World Cup opener; one to watch

The one about our boss and Manchester City’s provoked the same reaction from the pair – “Klopp”.

It will be music to the ears of our fans and something we all whole-heatedly agree with but perhaps not something that will be accepted by all those up the M62!

You can watch Carragher and Neville’s comments on Klopp and Guardiola via now on TikTok:

📖 Anfield Annals: Matt McQueen the Anfield All-Rounder who did everything in 36 years as a Red

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Gary Neville saw something even ‘worse’ last night than in Liverpool game earlier this season https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/07/neville-romero-jones-spurs-liverpool/ https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/11/07/neville-romero-jones-spurs-liverpool/#comments Tue, 07 Nov 2023 11:41:59 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=244413 Gary Neville was appalled by one thing he witnessed in the most recent round of Premier League games, describing it as ‘worse’ than an incident in a match involving Liverpool earlier in the season. At the end of September, Curtis Jones was the first of two Reds players to be sent off in the 2-1 […]

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Gary Neville was appalled by one thing he witnessed in the most recent round of Premier League games, describing it as ‘worse’ than an incident in a match involving Liverpool earlier in the season.

At the end of September, Curtis Jones was the first of two Reds players to be sent off in the 2-1 defeat at Tottenham, when the 22-year-old was given his marching orders for a foul on Yves Bissouma.

At the same venue last night, another red card which was upgraded from yellow following a VAR review saw Cristian Romero dismissed for an over-the-top lunge on compatriot Enzo Fernandez as Spurs became the last top-flight team to taste defeat this term, going down 1-4 at home to Chelsea.

Neville was on co-commentary for Sky Sports for the all-London clash on Monday and he was horrified by the Argentine’s foul on his international teammate, comparing it unfavourably to the Liverpool midfielder’s dismissal a few weeks ago.

The 48-year-old said of Romero’s tackle (via Liverpool World): “If you go back to Curtis Jones’ challenge a few weeks ago that I thought was harsh, this one was worse.”

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp will face familiar Liverpool foe next weekend as pre-Brentford news is announced

READ MORE: John Aldridge urges Liverpool to remedy one big problem if they’re to be title contenders this term

There are definitely some similarities between the two incidents – both were initial yellow card fouls which were changed to red after VAR intervention deemed them to be dangerous lunges, and both took place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

However, when looking at the two tackles in isolation, Neville is right in saying that Romero’s was worse than the one for which Jones was sent off.

The Liverpool midfielder did catch Bissouma high, but he was making a genuine attempt to get the ball and his foot slipped, whereas last night Spurs’ Argentine defender completely missed the ball and caught Fernandez square on the shin.

It would’ve been baffling had the 25-year-old got away with a yellow card when the Reds ace was dismissed for what he did a few weeks ago, but VAR John Brooks correctly intervened and advised Michael Oliver to upgrade the Tottenham man’s indiscretion to red.

Plenty of refereeing decisions are subjective and open to interpretation, but in the search for greater consistency (or even just some consistency when it comes to the Premier League), some calls appear blatantly obvious.

Romero’s sending off against Chelsea falls into that category when weighed up against Jones’ at the same venue earlier in the season.

🚨 EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Andre ticks a box, Liverpool have a ‘real top player’ with Kevin De Bruyne gift, unfair treatment of Nunez and much more!

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(Video) Gary Neville says one player ended up going to a ‘graveyard’ instead of joining Liverpool https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/30/neville-mount-man-utd-graveyard-liverpool/ Mon, 30 Oct 2023 21:15:11 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=244049 Gary Neville has said that Mason Mount ended up going to a ‘graveyard’ at Manchester United instead of joining Liverpool in the summer. Jurgen Klopp’s side had been linked with the England international when he was at Chelsea earlier this year, but the 24-year-old ultimately moved to Old Trafford for £55m (BBC Sport) rather than […]

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Gary Neville has said that Mason Mount ended up going to a ‘graveyard’ at Manchester United instead of joining Liverpool in the summer.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had been linked with the England international when he was at Chelsea earlier this year, but the 24-year-old ultimately moved to Old Trafford for £55m (BBC Sport) rather than Anfield.

He’s had a frustrating time of it so far in Erik ten Hag’s side, making just four Premier League starts and missing several games through injury (Transfermarkt).

His personal torment still pales in comparison with the problems at United, where Neville complained of a ‘toxic’ culture infesting the club which ‘eats alive’ players and managers who join.

Speaking on Sky Sports after the Red Devils’ 3-0 derby mauling by Man City on Sunday, the 48-year-old said: “Harry Maguire was going to go to Manchester City. Mason Mount was going to go to Liverpool. 

“They come here and it’s a graveyard for them. Are we going to keep blaming the kids in the class? Are we going to blame the headteacher?”

While Liverpool missed out on Mount over the summer as he went to the United ‘graveyard’, they instead brought in Dominik Szoboszlai, who’s made Anfield look like his personal playground at times, such has been the joyous nature of his performances.

Although the Red Devils’ problems go far deeper than the hitherto subdued England international, the LFC hierarchy won’t have any regrets whatsoever about the way that their summer search for a new playmaker turned out.

You can view Neville’s comments below (from 1:16), via @SkySportsPL on Twitter/X:

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Gary Neville pays backhanded compliment to £150k-p/w Liverpool player with social media jibe https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/26/neville-mac-allister-liverpool-jibe/ Thu, 26 Oct 2023 08:10:26 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=243828 Gary Neville has paid what could politely be called a backhanded compliment to one Liverpool player on social media. The Sky Sports pundit invited questions from his followers on X in a quickfire Q&A session on Thursday morning, with one Aston Villa fan asking him to name the best midfielder in the Premier League outside […]

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Gary Neville has paid what could politely be called a backhanded compliment to one Liverpool player on social media.

The Sky Sports pundit invited questions from his followers on X in a quickfire Q&A session on Thursday morning, with one Aston Villa fan asking him to name the best midfielder in the Premier League outside of the so-called ‘big 6’ clubs.

The ex-Manchester United defender duly replied: “McAllister [sic] at Liverpool” along with a wink emoji as he played to the gallery of his former club’s supporters.

READ MORE: ‘Right now…’ – Reliable journalist assesses Liverpool’s chances of landing Jamal Musiala in 2024

READ MORE: ‘The future at Anfield’ – Neil Jones backs Liverpool wiz to ‘go from strength to strength’

Neville might’ve tried to be clever with that rather unsubtle swipe at Liverpool, but we’d recommend that he take a look at the current Premier League table.

A look at the top four positions includes Jurgen Klopp’s side, who are just three points off the summit, but if the 48-year-old wants to see United in the current standing, he’ll have to scroll all the way down to eighth place, i.e. not in the top six.

Alexis Mac Allister himself might be rolling his eyes in humorous disdain at the pundit’s social media trolling, and not just because of the misspelling of his surname, with the £150,000-per-week star (Capology) having finished sixth in the league with Brighton last season and poised to place even higher at his current club.

Maybe if the Argentine scores the winner when the Red Devils visit Anfield in December, that might wipe the smirk off Neville’s face after his pitiful attempt at online humour.

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones🎙

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Gary Neville’s Everton review defies the data to leave Liverpool fans wide-eyed https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/22/nevilles-surprising-everton-review-defies-data/ Sun, 22 Oct 2023 08:06:19 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=243558 Gary Neville accused Liverpool of being ‘below-par’ in their 2-0 victory over Everton. The hosts came out on top in the Merseyside Derby courtesy of a penalty from Mo Salah and a further effort to double the scoreline after Darwin Nunez selfishly dished up a high-percentage goalscoring opportunity for his Egyptian teammate in the dying […]

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Gary Neville accused Liverpool of being ‘below-par’ in their 2-0 victory over Everton.

The hosts came out on top in the Merseyside Derby courtesy of a penalty from Mo Salah and a further effort to double the scoreline after Darwin Nunez selfishly dished up a high-percentage goalscoring opportunity for his Egyptian teammate in the dying stages of the clash.

“I actually thought Liverpool were below-par, they weren’t at their best,” the former Manchester United man spoke on his Sky Sports podcast (via the Echo). 

“They were helped by the sending off, obviously. Ashley Young no doubt about that but I think they did well with 10 men.

“I think Konate was lucky. I left at 1-0. So, I saw the penalty with Michael Keane, then obviously Salah scored it. It’s a good result for Liverpool.

“I don’t think Everton will be too downbeat, there will be some positives came out of it, I’ve seen them play worse.”

The result briefly took Jurgen Klopp’s men to the summit of the league table prior to Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Brighton and Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

READ MORE: ‘My God’ ‘Exceptional’: Liverpool fans react to 21-year-old player’s phenomenal display vs Everton

READ MORE: Not Osimhen: Liverpool already scouted Serie A goal machine several times amid Mo Salah questions – report

Whilst we can absolutely accept that our shooting boots went missing for much of the proceedings, it seems a little unfair to suggest that we were ‘below-par’ in a game we dominated for the most part before and after Ashley Young’s dismissal.

Certainly, you might even argue that the Toffees man’s sending-off actually made life more difficult for us.

Either way, Neville might wish to take a quick gander at Sofascore’s attacking momentum graph first before commenting on a Liverpool performance in future.

Someone spot the blue!

#Ep94 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones🎙

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(Video) Gary Neville includes £150k-p/w Liverpool titan as part of his perfect Premier League player https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/16/gary-neville-alisson-perfect-player/ Mon, 16 Oct 2023 13:12:19 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=243197 Gary Neville selected one Liverpool star to form part of his ‘perfect’ Premier League player. The Sky Sports pundit was asked to name which players would combine to form the ultimate top-flight footballer, with the 48-year-old opting for the legs of Jack Grealish, the body of Adama Traore and the head of Kevin De Bruyne. […]

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Gary Neville selected one Liverpool star to form part of his ‘perfect’ Premier League player.

The Sky Sports pundit was asked to name which players would combine to form the ultimate top-flight footballer, with the 48-year-old opting for the legs of Jack Grealish, the body of Adama Traore and the head of Kevin De Bruyne.

When it came to selecting which goalkeeper’s hands would be included, the ex-Manchester United defender had one clear answer, stating: “Hands, hands, I’m going to go for Alisson because I think he’s the best goalkeeper in the league and in the world.”

Rarely will Liverpool fans be so aligned with Neville as they’ll undoubtedly be regarding his verdict on the £150,000-per-week stopper (Capology), who’s routinely performed heroics at Anfield ever since joining the Reds in 2018.

As per FBref, the 31-year-old has overperformed on his post-shot expected goals by 18.6 throughout the duration of his Reds career, which speaks volumes for his remarkable consistency.

You can view Neville’s picks below, via @SkySportsPL on Twitter/X:

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(Video) Neville says Liverpool would ‘definitely’ be in title frame if they had one Arsenal player https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/09/gary-neville-declan-rice-liverpool/ Mon, 09 Oct 2023 12:41:12 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=242790 Gary Neville believes that Liverpool would ‘definitely’ be in the frame to win the Premier League title if they had a player from one of the main contenders for the crown this season. Declan Rice had been mentioned as a possible transfer target for the Reds earlier this year when he was at West Ham, […]

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Gary Neville believes that Liverpool would ‘definitely’ be in the frame to win the Premier League title if they had a player from one of the main contenders for the crown this season.

Declan Rice had been mentioned as a possible transfer target for the Reds earlier this year when he was at West Ham, although a £105m move to Arsenal over the summer (Sky Sports) realistically rules him out of joining the Merseysiders in the foreseeable future.

Jurgen Klopp has signed four midfielders since the end of last term but, according to Neville, LFC still lack the ‘solidity’ in the engine room to genuinely contend for first place.

Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “If you put Declan Rice in Liverpool’s holding midfield position or you put Rodri in there, I’d be saying Liverpool would definitely be on for the title. My question mark is whether they’ve got enough solidity in midfield, enough defensive strength and power. 

“I don’t think Liverpool will quite get there but they’re in the race, there’s no doubt, because of the manager. The manager is absolutely outstanding. He’s one of the best, but I think it’ll be Arsenal and [Manchester] City again when it comes towards the end.”

Rice has proven to be a top-quality midfielder throughout the last few years in the Premier League and gave a tremendous performance in the Gunners’ statement victory over Pep Guardiola’s side on Sunday, ending the match with the joint-highest Sofascore rating of anyone on the pitch.

Klopp has used Alexis Mac Allister in the number 6 role in the early weeks of the season at Liverpool, although the Argentine is perhaps better suited to playing further forward.

The England international could well have been perfect for the Reds, but if we’re to contend for title glory again this season or next, it’ll have to be done with someone else as our midfield anchor.

You can view Neville’s comments below (from 10:08), via Sky Sports Premier League on YouTube:

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Liverpool fans will be grinning from ear to ear at Gary Neville’s early season verdict on the Reds https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/09/gary-neville-surprised-liverpool-form/ Mon, 09 Oct 2023 11:58:21 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=242788 Gary Neville has admitted to being surprised by the form Liverpool have shown since the start of the season. The Sky Sports pundit was reflecting on the performances of the big-name Premier League sides over the first two months of the campaign, which is just under a quarter of the way through and now on […]

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Gary Neville has admitted to being surprised by the form Liverpool have shown since the start of the season.

The Sky Sports pundit was reflecting on the performances of the big-name Premier League sides over the first two months of the campaign, which is just under a quarter of the way through and now on hold until 21 October with an international break in the meantime.

The ex-Manchester United defender stuck by his pre-season prediction of Arsenal to lift the title but has reassessed his verdicts on other teams, including his former club and Jurgen Klopp’s outfit.

Speaking on his eponymous podcast (via Liverpool Echo), Neville said: “I’m not changing my predictions by the way for those of you who think I’m flip-flopping, I always keep my predictions the same.

“But off what I’ve seen in eight to 10 weeks, Manchester United are a lot worse than I thought they were, Tottenham are a lot better than I thought they were, Liverpool are better than I thought they would be. That’s probably the same as most people.”

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Liverpool fans may well be wearing a wry grin over Neville’s comments on the Reds, and also his withering verdict on United, who he went on to state would struggle to finish even fifth (Sky Sports).

Despite failing to win at Tottenham and Brighton in our last two matches, we still find ourselves in fourth place with 17 points from a possible 24, just three off the summit.

At the equivalent stage last season, we were 10th in the table with 10 points, a whopping 14 behind pace-setters Arsenal following their win over us at the Emirates Stadium (BBC Sport).

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Had it not been for Joel Matip’s wholly unlucky stoppage time own goal at north London’s other top-flight venue nine days ago, we’d be one position better off and one point closer to first place, a scenario that virtually any Liverpool fan would’ve taken at this juncture if offered it on the eve of the campaign.

With our next four league matches all against teams currently placed 13th or lower, and three of them at Anfield, that’s the period where we’ll need to take full advantage of relatively kind fixtures as far as the Premier League goes.

If we can extract maximum points from those amid slip-ups for the teams around us, talk of the Reds as title contenders might gather a bit more pace.

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(Video) Klopp’s savage Neville brothers dig in post-match presser has every journo laughing https://www.empireofthekop.com/2023/10/06/klopp-savage-neville-brothers-dig/ Fri, 06 Oct 2023 13:56:51 +0000 https://www.empireofthekop.com/?p=242612 Gary Neville won’t have been high up on Jurgen Klopp’s Christmas card list following his response to the German’s post-Tottenham complaints. Nevertheless, it’s fair to assume that the Liverpool boss’ latest presser jibe, following a 2-0 win over Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, was entirely tongue-in-cheek. The 56-year-old remarked on how pleasant it was to witness Alexis […]

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Gary Neville won’t have been high up on Jurgen Klopp’s Christmas card list following his response to the German’s post-Tottenham complaints.

Nevertheless, it’s fair to assume that the Liverpool boss’ latest presser jibe, following a 2-0 win over Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, was entirely tongue-in-cheek.

The 56-year-old remarked on how pleasant it was to witness Alexis Mac Allister face off against his brother, Kevin, in the Europa League only to be reminded by one journalist of another famous footballing duo in the Neville brothers.

Klopp joked that ‘no on was interested in that obviously’, much to the hilarity of those present.

You can catch the clip below:

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