Skip to main content

Gary Neville Criticizes Liverpool Fans For Poor Anfield Atmosphere Despite Record-Breaking Attendance

Liverpool's 0-0 draw with Manchester United on Sunday was played in front of the biggest Anfield crowd in Premier League history.

The official attendance of 57,158 - 7,015 more fans than had been at Liverpool's previous home game - was the largest recorded at Anfield for any match since 1963.

Sunday's stalemate was Liverpool's first home game since the expanded upper tier of the Anfield Road Stand had been opened to the public.

But despite there being more Liverpool fans at this game than at any other in the EPL era, former United captain Gary Neville was not impressed by the atmosphere at Anfield.

"The atmosphere was the worst I've seen at Anfield ever in a Liverpool vs Manchester United game," Neville said on Sky Sports.

Neville suggested that some Liverpool supporters may have gone to the game feeling complacent after seeing their team thrash United 7-0 in this fixture last season.

Gary Neville pictured speaking on Sky Sports after Manchester United drew 0-0 at Liverpool in December 2023

Gary Neville pictured speaking on Sky Sports after Manchester United drew 0-0 at Liverpool on Sunday

He added: "I've always been complimentary of Liverpool fans - it's the biggest crowd they've had here in 60 or 70 years - but it's the quietest crowd I've seen in this game.

"I don't know what was up today. I think there was maybe a little bit of overconfidence before the game, with people wearing Christmas jumpers with 7-0 on them and stuff like that!"

Liverpool had won 11 straight home games in all competitions before Sunday's tie.

Jurgen Klopp's men dominated against United in terms of possession and chances - recording 28 shots more than the away side.

But Andre Onana produced eight saves - the most by any United keeper without conceding a goal since David de Gea's clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Tottenham in January 2019.