Former Manchester United and Everton defender Phil Neville has explained why he did not enjoy the Merseyside derby as a player.
Neville enjoyed a successful eight-year stint with the club, having transferred from Alex Ferguson's Manchester United in 2005. Thus, the English international played in both the Manchester and Merseyside derby and was clear in which one he prefers, when speaking to Sky Sports.
I hated Merseyside derbies, I really did. I thought they were overhyped. I think a Manchester derby, we used to talk about from 48 hours before. Merseyside derbies were a week before. The masseur would put up on the wall 'five more sleeps', the next day 'four more sleeps', the next day 'three more sleeps until the Merseyside derby'. It was the biggest game.
Neville was fully committed in those games and famously sent off twice in the derby during the 2005/06 season and in the 2007/08 season. He explained the pressure around the fixture was actually an inhibiting factor: "We got too involved in trying to smash someone early on, fans saying you've got to die for the badge. It was the only game Everton wanted to win."
His manager at the time was David Moyes, and Neville revealed there was one Liverpool player cited pre-match.
All you can hear in the tight tunnel is Jamie Carragher, in his squeaky Scouse accent, shouting 'come on lads. Every game we played against Liverpool, David Moyes would say 'don't let Jamie Carragher ref the game'.
The derby was a tame affair last season, ending with a 1-1 and 0-0 draw on both occasions. As for Neville, he has progressed into coaching and is currently in charge of the England Women's team.
