The pundit feels Klopp has vindicated his comments from the weekend (Pictures: Getty)
Gary Neville could not resist taking another little swipe at Liverpool supporters after Jurgen Klopp’s criticism of the lack of atmosphere during the side’s 5-1 win over West Ham on Wednesday.
The Merseysiders booked their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with a thumping win over the east Londoners, though Klopp was unhappy with how sedate Anfield was – something that cannot afford to be the case when Premier League leaders Arsenal visit on Saturday.
‘I thought in the first half, when the boys played exceptional, I was not overly happy, I have to say, with the atmosphere behind me,’ said the German coach.
‘I asked people, “What do you want?” We changed a lot of things, we dominate West Ham like crazy, we miss chances, and if I would be in the stand, I would be on my toes! One thousand per cent.
‘I don’t know if the Man United game was that bad that we have to say sorry that we didn’t smash them?
‘We need Anfield on Saturday. They [Arsenal] didn’t play this week – just to make sure, I know, sorry, they didn’t play – they prepared for this game and anyone who knows a little bit about them, they will be prepared.
‘So we need Anfield on their toes from the first second, without me having an argument with the opposition coach or whatever. We need you from the first second.
Klopp wants an electric atmosphere at Anfield on Saturday night (Picture: Getty)
‘So if it’s too much football in December, I don’t know, sorry, we have to play it as well, but If you are not in the right shape, give your ticket to somebody else.’
Neville had been derided for making similar comments after Sunday’s goalless draw between Liverpool and United, saying it was the tamest atmosphere he had ever encountered at Anfield despite welcoming the biggest crowd in 50 years after the newly expanded stand was finally opened.
The former United right-back was in a playful mood on Thursday morning after seeing Klopp’s comments, quote-tweeting a clip of the rant and tagging fellow pundit Jamie Carragher.
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He also wrote: ‘Those Liverpool fans having a pop at me about the atmosphere v United are a bit quiet this morning’.
Speaking on Sky Bet’s Stick to Football show, Neville also defended his previous comments, saying: ‘I said it was the worst atmosphere that I’ve ever seen at a Liverpool-Manchester United game.
‘I’m not talking about when the game was boring in the last half-an-hour or middle part of the game. I’m talking about the first 10 or 15 minutes when usually it’s really rocking. It was strange.’
MORE : Jurgen Klopp aims fresh dig at Man Utd and bizarrely slams Liverpool fans
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The pundit feels Klopp has vindicated his comments from the weekend.
