Gary Neville needs to face reality as his fourth Liverpool prediction falls apart

Live from the world of football, Gary Neville might have to face the reality of just how off the mark his predictions have been this season, especially with the impressive work of Arne Slot’s side. While there’s no shame in occasional miss on pre-match calls, Neville’s latest opinion seems to have fallen spectacularly short.

As is often the case, it was Jamie Carragher who stepped in to perfectly sum things up. The Liverpool legend, who has built a post-playing career on teasing Neville, wasted no time in taking a cheeky swipe after Liverpool’s dominant 4-0 victory over Tottenham at Anfield. The result, which saw the Reds overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, secured their place in the Carabao Cup final.

Carragher, having praised Virgil van Dijk and made some pointed observations about Tottenham, turned to social media. In a now-famous Instagram post, he shared a quote from Neville’s pre-match predictions, which suggested Spurs would advance to the final. Carragher added a clown emoji and tagged his Sky Sports colleague, delivering a clear and unmistakable message.

Neville’s actual prediction, made earlier on his It’s Called Soccer podcast with Carragher and host Rebecca Lowe, went: “I think Tottenham are going to get a draw. I don’t know how they’re going to get a draw at Anfield, but I feel like it’s going to be an emotional, mad night where something happens. Ange Postecoglou said earlier on in the season…I’m maybe not hanging my hat on what he’s saying entirely, but I’ve just got a feeling [for] Tottenham. I’ve got a feeling Tottenham could win the Carabao Cup this season. And I’ve got a feeling that, to be fair, they’re always going to have to come through a moment like this. It will be absolute Liverpool favourites, but I feel somehow Tottenham are going to get a draw by hook or by crook.”

This isn’t the first time Neville has missed the mark when it comes to Liverpool, but this particular misstep came much sooner than expected. The striking thing about this latest prediction is how quickly Neville’s crystal ball failed him. A ubiquitous figure in Premier League analysis, with his multiple podcasts and regular Sky Sports appearances, Neville’s opinions are now a frequent fixture for fans. But sometimes, those bold pre-match declarations don’t pan out, and in this case, the reason Carragher has referred to Neville as a clown likely lies in the lack of impartiality in his analysis.

Remember back in August 2019, Neville claimed that Manchester United would win the Premier League before Liverpool did, just weeks after Liverpool lifted the Champions League. His exact words were, “I can guarantee you as clear as day that Manchester United will win again. They will win again, no problem. They will win the league again. They will probably win the league before Liverpool, in my opinion. And that is not being disrespectful but I think they will win the league before Liverpool.”

We all know how that turned out. Less than a year later, Liverpool stormed to the Premier League title by 18 points, clinching it with seven games to spare, while Manchester United find themselves further from a title than ever before.

Ultimate Guide to the Carabao Cup Final 2025

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Meanwhile, in the wider football scene, Gary Neville continues to find himself the subject of mockery after his latest prediction falls apart spectacularly. After Liverpool’s historic 7-0 victory over Manchester United at Anfield, Neville’s reaction was a mix of disbelief and regret. His earlier claims about United’s midfield superiority over Arne Slot’s side have also proven disastrously inaccurate.

While Neville has long been regarded as one of the sharpest football analysts, having established a solid post-playing career with his multiple media commitments, there’s a growing concern that his constant workload is affecting the quality of his analysis. When it comes to Liverpool, his commentary often lacks objectivity, as it increasingly seems rooted in personal bias rather than grounded analysis.

Neville’s extensive media presence—whether on It’s Called Soccer, The Overlap, or his Gary Neville Podcast—means his opinions are frequently aired, often sparking debates among Premier League fans. However, with Jamie Carragher continuing to challenge his viewpoints, particularly regarding Liverpool, it might be time for Neville to consider stepping back, even if only temporarily. As Carragher wisely put it earlier this season, “Leave the punditry before the punditry leaves you.”

There’s no shame in making the occasional incorrect prediction, but Neville might now have to face the reality of just how wrong he’s been this season under Arne Slot. It seems he may be the last to realize what’s truly unfolding in the world of football.