Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville suggested that Liverpool’s defensive tactics and individual errors made them vulnerable, stating the Reds were “asking to be beaten” by an attacking side like Manchester City.
According to pundit analysis reported by Goal.com, Sky Sports commentators and former Manchester United captains Gary Neville and Roy Keane were locked in a sharp debate following Liverpool’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Manchester City, with Neville claiming Liverpool’s play invited the heavy loss.
Neville sharply criticized Liverpool’s tactical setup and execution, stating that the nature of their performance meant they were “asking to be beaten” by the reigning Premier League champions.
He pointed to the crucial moments leading to the goals, suggesting that Liverpool failed to manage the risk associated with their high defensive line and individual player positioning.
Neville argued that against a team with the ruthless precision of City, being “all over the shop” defensively was a recipe for disaster.
Keane, while critical of Liverpool, took issue with Neville’s specific tactical assessment. The fiery Irishman emphasized that individual mistakes were too common and easy, arguing that the margin for error was too small and that the players should have shown more resilience.
The heavy loss, which came after an inconsistent run of form for Liverpool, led to widespread media scrutiny.
Keane and Neville’s public disagreement highlighted the extent of the club’s issues, with both legendary figures concluding that the result severely damages Liverpool’s title aspirations this season.
The consensus suggests that for Liverpool to compete at the top, they must address the fundamental defensive weaknesses exposed by Pep Guardiola’s side.