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Gary Neville was embarrassing during Liverpool match - but what Sky Sports have him doing isn't fair



John Aldridge


One of my biggest takeaways from Liverpool's draw with Arsenal at the weekend was how biased the coverage seemed to be towards Mikel Arteta's team


I was listening to Gary Neville on commentary for Sky Sports and he was just embarrassing. It was unbelievable how biased he was against Liverpool




Don't get me wrong, I would be exactly the same if I were commentating on a Manchester United game and I'm glad I don't have to do that.


I actually think it’s probably a bit unfair that they ask him to do Liverpool games and it's the same for Jamie Carragher when he's asked to cover United, although I think he's less blatant with his bias.



To me, it just doesn’t make sense to have people commentating on their direct rivals.


The difference in the reaction to Bukayo Saka's goal and Mohamed Salah's late equaliser was so obvious and it just ruins it when you're watching on telly. It's not just Neville, though.


I thought a lot of the coverage around the game seemed to favour Arsenal.


The national media were going on like they were riddled with injuries but Saka and Jurrien Timber both played



Okay, they were without Martin Odegaard and William Saliba but we were without the best goalkeeper in the world in Alisson Becker and probably our best goal scorer in Diogo Jota


It felt a bit like excuses were being made for Arsenal. But they're a good side so going there and getting a point is never a bad thing.


I think the goals we gave away were cheap but I thought in the end that a draw was a fair result.


Arsenal put so much energy into the first half and they couldn’t keep it up so I always thought we’d come back.


We didn’t play as well as we know we can and so to come away with a fighting draw, having been behind twice, is good to see.



Arsenal used their dark arts


After the game, Arne Slot seemed a bit bemused by Arsenal's tactics.


They've been really good at using those dark arts under Mikel Arteta and, ultimately, it’s up to the referee to nip that in the bud.


A lot of people were saying Virgil van Dijk should have been sent off for his spat with Kai Havertz. What were they watching?


That was never a sending off - both players lashed out at each other. There was nothing in it.


The Italians used to be brilliant at using those dark arts back in the day.


I played in Spain and they were really good at it too. It’s something that’s been happening for decades and I don’t mind it, but it’s up to the referees to note it and add the time back on.


Manchester City have been really good at it for years, those cynical fouls.


All really good sides know when to break up games and when you take it to the extremes it’s down to the referees to put a stop to it.




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