Gary Neville and Daniel Sturridge clash over three Liverpool stars – ‘I’m not buying that’ | Football | Sport

Gary Neville and Daniel Sturridge were embroiled in a heated exchange over Liverpool’s drop off in form this season ahead of the Reds’ clash with Arsenal. Arne Slot’s side cruised to the Premier League title last season, but have struggled to replicate their form this time around. 

It wasn’t for a lack of investment in the squad, as Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong all arrived for considerable expense in the summer window. For one reason or another, it hasn’t clicked for the 2024/25 champions – something Neville and Sturridge debated at length during Sky Sports’ pre-match coverage.

When quizzed on why Liverpool haven’t been able to replicate their heroics this time around, despite their investment, Neville asked: “Have they got to the top of the mountain, sometimes we’ve seen over the last 20 to 30 years, a team goes ‘ah we did it’ and have they basically relaxed. Is that what’s happened? Are we questioning their mentality, there’s a bit of me thinking it must be that.”

Sturridge, running to the defence of his former club, chimed in with: “Well, no. Luis Diaz was one of the best players they had last season… the mystery is, Diaz was the best attacker from last season. [Mohamed] Salah set all of the records, yes. He was tenacious up front, pressing, scoring, creating. Trent Alexander-Arnold was the most creative right-back we’ve seen in the last 15 years in the Premier League… he doesn’t play for the club anymore. Jarell Quansah, when Konate and Van Dijk aren’t playing well, Quansah was there.”

Neville, looking appalled by Sturridge’s response, remarked: “I’m not buying that,” with Sturridge adding: “Gary, it’s the truth whether you like it or not. Particular players, the ones they’ve signed. Ekitike, Isak, Ekitike’s hit the ground running, unfortunately, Isak hasn’t. Ekitike isn’t here tonight. Overall when you say there’s a big difference from this season to last season, the big difference is, they’ve lost key players but they haven’t performed to the same level.”

Of all people, it was Roy Keane who stepped in to mediate, with the former tough-tackling midfielder claiming: “They’ve steadied the ship over the last year or so and obviously we heard the interview there, fourth is their target now. That’s a big drop off when you were champions last year.”