‘Bizarre’… Jamie Carragher claims Gary Neville has just said something so strange about Liverpool

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Jamie Carragher has taken issue with Gary Neville’s claims about the atmosphere at Liverpool.

Neville was critical of the noise at Anfield after Liverpool drew 0-0 with Manchester United on Sunday. The former United man even went as far as saying it was the worst he’d ever heard it for a game of such importance.

This was a view Neville reiterated when appearing on the latest Stick To Football podcast released today.

“Did you think the atmosphere was right on Sunday?” the pundit asked Carragher. “I know it’s hard because you’re from Liverpool…”

“I know but for you to say the worst ever,” Carragher countered. “That’s the worst I have seen at a Liverpool vs Man United game,” Neville insisted.

“You can’t remember all the other games so that’s just a bizarre thing to say,” dismissed the Liverpool legend. “I have been to about 30 in the last few years!” replied the former right-back. They’ll never agree!

Neville calls out Anfield atmosphere

To be fair to both Neville and Carragher, we take both of their points here.

The atmosphere on Sunday did sound poor. After an initial fervour, the crowd seemed to be simply waiting for Liverpool to dispatch their great rivals in a manner similar to the 7-0 drubbing in March.

Once that inevitably didn’t happen, you could feel the frustration and irritation from those inside Anfield. Ultimately, the game petered out into nothing.

In what is usually a raucous event, this weekend stands out as an exception to the rule.

Nevertheless, Neville – and most other pundits to be fair – are guilty of using this hyperbole fairly regularly. It feels like the worst atmosphere because it’s the most fresh in the mind.

The truth is that Liverpool vs Man United has had a real lull a number of times over recent years. Anfield witnessed successive 0-0 draws in 2016 and 2017, when neither team were really in their best moment.

The fans in general tend to be more up for this game than most others. But if Liverpool don’t give them anything to shout about, then it can turn into a drag.

Either way, the atmosphere does need to improve at the Reds’ home. Jurgen Klopp called it out after yesterday’s game against West Ham. “If you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else,” the boss said ahead of Arsenal’s visit on Saturday [liverpoolfc.com]. Time to ratchet up those decibel levels.