Gary Neville tried his best to make a quick escape from Anfield on Sunday, although there was no way he could avoid running into a Liverpool legend or two as the title celebrations began.
With his fellow Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher away, Neville was left on his own to commentate alongside Peter Drury on the moment the Reds secured the Premier League title against Tottenham. By his own admission, it was a “painful” afternoon for the former Manchester United captain.
Having secured a 20th league title, Liverpool is now back on its perch – as Sir Alex Ferguson would put it – after drawing level with the Old Trafford club’s tally. And as Neville himself admitted, there can be no debate now about who is the most successful club in England.
A die-hard United fan who has never tried to hide his allegiances, even after his move into punditry, Neville was never likely to stick around too long to watch the celebrations unfold at Anfield.
In fact, the former defender made an even earlier exit than anyone would have imagined.
Footage from the commentary gantry released by Liverpool on Tuesday showed Neville trying to sneak out just as the party was getting underway.
Of course, with the stadium still packed at that point, he rather sheepishly had to make his way past plenty of jubilant Liverpool fans, including Reds legend John Aldridge.
(Image: Liverpool FC/X)
Neville could be seen having to squeeze past the former striker as he tried to make his quick escape, with Aldridge managing to get a word in before he left.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge said: “I saw Gary Neville heading out at the end after the final whistle. I was on co-commentary for LFC TV and he went past us.
“I had a little joke with him. I said I’d have done exactly the same as him if it was Manchester United winning the league at Old Trafford!”
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Neville had set his stall out early, having made his intentions not to stick around at Anfield clear even before the game against Spurs had kicked off.
“There is no point in me coming down here again,” Neville had said pre-match when asked if he would be joining Jamie Redknapp and Daniel Sturridge on the pitch at the final whistle. “I think the Liverpool fans probably won’t let me get out of the commentary box!”
It seems the supporters did allow Neville to make his escape, with the former defender not appearing for the rest of the broadcast from Anfield. Whether he will be there to see the trophy being lifted remains to be seen.
