In July, Sky issued an apology to Nottingham Forest after Gary Neville referred to the club’s statement as “like a mafia-gang” during Super Sunday on April 21, following a 2-0 loss to Everton.
Sky issued a statement saying they had “discussed with Gary the language used and its potential to cause offence” and that “Gary has agreed not to use similar terms in future broadcasts.”
More recently, Neville found himself in hot water again, this time with Liverpool. A recent Telegraph article discussed Liverpool’s search for a new manager, noting that there was only an “initial polite enquiry” between Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes and Xabi Alonso’s agent, Inaki Ibanez, about the former Liverpool player potentially returning.
Arne Slot was the only candidate offered the Liverpool job and signed a contract until June 2027. However, on Sky, Neville claimed that Slot was “third choice” behind Alonso and Ruben Amorim, who is set to become Manchester United’s new manager on November 11.
As Neville’s statement was false, it’s reported that Liverpool briefly considered demanding a public retraction.
Arne Slot has brought a refreshing change to Anfield, with Liverpool currently leading the Premier League by two points after ten games.
The 46-year-old will face Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday night at Anfield, and Slot has urged his team to perform at their highest level.
“Xabi was an exceptional player, and he is proving himself to be just as capable as a manager,” Slot wrote in his programme notes.
“I want to extend a warm welcome to him back at Anfield, and I’m sure everyone in the stadium shares this sentiment. However, we all know that there will be no room for sentimentality from him, and that means there can be none from us either.
“The best way we can show respect to any former player is to be the best version of Liverpool that we can be—no quarter asked, and no quarter given.”
