Gary Neville has repeated his comments about Manchester City’s penalty kick from last season, after appearing to contradict his recent comments about Liverpool striker Diogo Jota.
Neville questioned the penalty awarded to the Reds after Jota fell to the ground after bringing down goalkeeper Martin Dubravka while covering Liverpool’s game with Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday. There was little contact but Anthony Taylor and Mohamed Salah converted from 12 yards to secure all three points for the Portuguese star.
Marcel said he didn’t approve of Taylor’s decision at the time, commenting live saying: “No, no.” I mean, let’s talk about Diaz’s performance in the second half of the first half. I don’t think it’s a fine. I don’t have the best angle in the world here, but it sure lands well after contact. If there is any contact.”Liverpool fans praised Taylor but he did them a favour. “I don’t think it was a penalty kick,” he said. Reds fans took to social media to share Jack Grealish’s penalty incident during Manchester City’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa in January 2023.
Grealish became controversial when he was awarded a penalty against his former team after being brought down after being tackled heavily in the penalty area. But Neville’s reaction was the exact opposite of his assessment of Jota. “He doesn’t need many calls, Jack Grealish. And he’s smart.” The former Manchester United defender said: “I think he played quarterback here and I really do too. Look at Jack Grealish… Yes, he sticks his foot out and does a karaoke move to confirm contact. Jack Grealish was incredible.”
After Monday’s game at Anfield, Neville admitted he was wrong about Liverpool’s ability to challenge for the title but still believes City are “favourites”. “I didn’t think Liverpool would be in the title race and I still don’t think they will,” he said. “But I have a manager to deal with it. “He gets the best out of his players and demands more from them. They go, they go and they don’t stop.
It’s everything you’d expect from a football team.“They’ve had a good time under Jurgen Klopp over the last six or seven years, but for the most part they’re a team that dies on the pitch in that shirt. There is something to be said for that. And I must say they have a real chance. This is mainly due to the director. Knows how to manage theme execution.
They have something Arsenal and Villa don’t. City are now clear favourites, but Liverpool have a chance. “I wouldn’t say that and I don’t think Jurgen Kopp will say that when the season starts.”
