Roy Keane and Gary Neville weren’t convinced by Graeme Souness’ prediction for Liverpool vs Manchester United – but the latter had the final laugh.
The Reds humiliated Erik ten Hag’s side at Anfield on Sunday, winning 7-0 on Merseyside – their biggest ever victory over their bitter rivals.
As for United, they have suffered their worst league defeat since Boxing Day in 1931 when Wolves recorded the same scoreline.
No one would have been expecting the shock result as United trailed just 1-0 heading into the second half, before a capitulation saw them ship in six goals.
United went into the match in great form, having beaten Barcelona to progress into the Europa League last-16
They then ended their six-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle, where they then progressed into the FA Cup quarter-finals at the expense of West Ham earlier in the week.
So it came as no surprise that club legends Keane and Neville were confident of snatching a result, as shown by them giggling at Souness’ prediction for the encounter.
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the fixture, the former Liverpool skipper said: “I think where Liverpool are right now, this game comes along at the perfect time.
“I fully expect them [Liverpool] to turn up today, it’s a long time since I’ve been this confident about a Liverpool win against [Manchester] United.”
Graeme Souness is backing a Liverpool victory today.
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— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 5, 2023
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“I think what an opportunity to put a marker down, to shut all the doubting Thomas’ up and damage United.
“But I think the priority for Liverpool is to turn up today – it was only 12 days ago that Liverpool played Real Madrid here – people were saying ‘they’re back’ after that first 45 minutes.
“OK they fell apart in the second half, but Liverpool are capable of that, they did it 12 days ago.
“And I fully expect them to turn up today, and it’s a long time since I’ve been this confident about a Liverpool win against United as I am today.
“I just feel like they’re going to turn, I think they’ll be bang on it today.
“You ask these two chaps [Keane and Neville] if it’s easy to play here if you’re a United player, this is a difficult place for United to come.
“And I think the crowd will play a part today too.”
His statement ultimately came true as Liverpool wiped the smirks off Keane and Neville’s faces by full-time.
Keane ripped into United as he branded their display as ’embarrassing’ and that he would go into ‘hiding’ out of shame.
As for Neville, he declared that United’s second half performance was a ‘disgrace’ and Bruno Fernandes – captain for the day – bore the brunt of his criticism.
“I’m going to start with Bruno Fernandes. I’ve had enough of him throwing his arms around at his teammates, I’ve had enough of him not running back. He whinges at everybody.
“He got pushed in the chest and goes down holding his face… he’s got to put a captain’s performance out there and that wasn’t a captain’s performance by a Manchester United player.
“I think Erik ten Hag will deal with him very, very strongly in this next 24-48 hours.”
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