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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Samuel Meade

Gary Neville tells Jamie Carragher "you're better than that" as theory debunked

Gary Neville told Jamie Carragher he was "better than that" after he posted a picture on social media debunking Neville's analysis of Manchester City 's formation on Sunday.

The champions saw their unbeaten recorded ended at Anfield, which has not been a happy hunting ground, as Mohamed Salah scored a second-half winner. Liverpool produced an excellent defensively display as they nullified a City attack that had been rampant.

Guardiola didn't spring any great selection surprises, but his choice of formation caused a divide in the studio post-match. Neville felt that City missed out by not creating their usual overload on the flanks by playing a back five, but Carragher disagreed with his assessment.

Neville said on Sky Sports : "They played five a back five in possession. They had three at the back, two there (wing-backs), then they had the two boxes in midfield but De Bruyne was the man inside, but he didn't have the Liverpool left-back being pulled out."

Carragher hit back, saying: "They didn't play with a back five," which caused Neville to sigh and put his head in his hands. The former Liverpool man continued: "They had a back three, Cancelo right-wing and Foden left-wing."

Neville quipped: "That wasn't how it was. Who was on the right wing?" Carragher argued Cancelo was, but Neville felt he was deeper as the pair continued to clash as they analysed Guardiola's formation.

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The former Manchester United right-back argued that City didn't have the overload they usually enjoy, which inhibited their attacking play. "They only had Cancelo and De Bruyne. They had two players whereas they'd normally have three - that's indisputable regardless of where you think Cancelo played. They had a man short which left De Bruyne a little bit isolated."

Carragher urged his colleague to watch it back, something he clearly did himself. He posted an image on Twitter of City's set-up, which backed up his view, with the caption "Night @GNev2". Neville responded to him by saying: "I mean seriously! You’re better than that!"

City failed to score for the first time this season and for the first time since being held to a goalless draw at Crystal Palace back in March. It was also their first away day defeat since the opening day of last season at Tottenham. Liverpool's success was only their third win in the league and allowed pace setters Arsenal to open up a four point lead at the summit.

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