The former Manchester United man was critical of the Reds’ start at Old Trafford as Liverpool conceded after just six minutes and were guilty of committing several defensive errors
16:12, 03 May 2026Updated 16:31, 03 May 2026
Gary Neville was critical of Liverpool’s start to the game at Old Trafford
Gary Neville laid into Liverpool after a terrible start at Old Trafford, which saw the Reds concede within the first six minutes.
Matheus Cunha, returning from injury, fired beyond Freddie Woodman after an impressive Manchester United opening to the Old Trafford encounter. After his first shot was blocked from a set-piece routine, the ex-Wolves man fired into the net courtesy of an unfortunate deflection off Alexis Mac Allister.
Even after six minutes, it was a goal that felt on the cards following a horrendous start from United, which included scruffy clearances from Virgil van Dijk and Woodman.
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“These are really anxious moments from Liverpool,” said Neville on commentary duty for Sky Sports. “Van Dijk – before that Woodman – and then [Van Dijk] obviously doing this [hashing his clearance].
“This is a mess, from a defensive perspective. Van Dijk is just fluffing his lines on his clearances.”
After Cunha opened the scoring, Neville added: “Manchester United have steamrolled Liverpool in these opening minutes. United have started like a house on fire. Liverpool look frantic and nervous.”
Sesko netted United’s second of the afternoon(Image: Getty Images)
Things got even worse for Liverpool in the 14th minute when Benjamin Sesko bundled the ball over the line.
Again it was Woodman and Van Dijk at the scene of the crime, as the captain was marking Sesko, while Woodman spooned the ball off the former RB Leipzig man for it to then bounce into the goal.
“”That goal… you talk about Liverpool’s season. They’ve been popping the ball about but they can’t cope with the counter-attack,” Jamie Carragher opined.
Carragher was critical of Liverpool’s performance at Old Trafford(Image: Getty Images)
“That has summed Liverpool up all season – they’re a nice team but they can’t handle physicality.
“Mac Allister loses the ball in midfield and before you know it they get blown away by the pace and power of Man United.”
The teams went into the game with United three points clear and victory for Michael Carrick’s side would all but secure a Champions League place, and finishing above Liverpool a year on from the 42-point gap that separated the clubs.