Carragher Accuses Neville of Early Prediction U-turn Between Manchester United and Liverpool
Jamie Carragher has accused Gary Neville of performing an early-season U-turn over who will finish higher between Manchester United and Liverpool – after just one round of Premier League fixtures.
The opening weekend has already scrambled a few pundit predictions. United were stunned 2-0 by newly-promoted Hull City at the MKM Stadium, a dismal start that immediately piled pressure on Erik ten Hag’s side.
Liverpool, under new boss Andoni Iraola, came within seconds of an equally damaging defeat. Trailing 2-1 at home to Newcastle United in the Spaniard’s first Premier League game in charge, they were rescued in the 99th minute when Dominik Szoboszlai buried a stoppage-time penalty to snatch a 2-2 draw.
That chaotic backdrop framed a spiky exchange on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, where Neville admitted he is struggling to split the two rivals in his predictions – and Carragher pounced.
Asked to pick between United and Liverpool, Neville said: “Look, do you want me to be honest? Yes. I can't separate United and Liverpool in fourth place.”
Carragher immediately went on the offensive.
“I've heard you've changed it four times over the weekend,” he snapped. “So after United played, he changed it to Liverpool. Liverpool played and he changed it to United.”
Neville pushed back, explaining how his thinking has shifted as the season approached.
“A couple of weeks ago, I had United in third. I didn't have Chelsea where they were, but as you sort of get nearer to the season, you start to look at the squads and you start to think about it.
“You think about Chelsea and the fact they've got no European football. That'll give them a big edge. I think City are in a better position than United. Look, at the moment, I'm not convinced by United or Liverpool, really, but I do think they'll finish fourth and fifth.”
Pressed to commit to a full top-four call, Neville finally laid his cards on the table. He tipped Arsenal to win the Premier League title, with Chelsea as runners-up, ahead of Manchester City in third and United in fourth. Liverpool, by implication, would miss out on the Champions League places.
Carragher, for his part, also backed Arsenal to lift the trophy, but sees the landscape slightly differently. He believes the Gunners will be chased by City, Chelsea and Liverpool.
The early evidence has done nothing to dent Arsenal’s credentials. Mikel Arteta’s side opened their title defence with a controlled 2-0 win over Coventry City, a statement performance that suggested continuity rather than hangover from last season’s title push.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, added to the intrigue at the top with a wild 3-2 victory over Fulham on Monday night. It was far from flawless, but it underlined the attacking threat and freshness that has tempted Neville to move them up his pre-season ladder.
Maresca’s former club also found late drama. In his first Premier League match as Manchester City manager, the champions needed a late surge to edge past Bournemouth 2-1, with Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol scoring the decisive goals. It wasn’t vintage City, but it was enough – and it kept them in step with their main rivals.
Arsenal, Chelsea and City are three of nine clubs to open the new campaign with a win. The table, of course, is barely taking shape, but the narratives are already flying – and so are the pundit predictions.
The next round will test those early calls again. Chelsea welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Stamford Bridge, a fixture that should offer another measure of Maresca’s new-look side. City travel to Selhurst Park for a Friday night clash with Crystal Palace, a ground that has troubled them in the past. Arsenal must wait until Monday for their trip to Aston Villa at Villa Park.
By then, Neville may feel more certain about his forecasts. Or Carragher might have another reason to accuse him of changing his mind.
