Gary Neville explains why he left quickly after Liverpool 5-1 Spurs – and why he ‘snapped’
Gary Neville Reveals Chaotic Exit from Anfield After Liverpool’s Title Triumph: ‘It Was Getting Ugly’
There are likely hundreds of places Gary Neville would have preferred to be last Sunday than Anfield — especially as Liverpool officially clinched the Premier League title in emphatic style. The former Manchester United stalwart was on co-commentary duty for Sky Sports as Jurgen Klopp’s successor, Arne Slot, led the Reds to a resounding 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, sealing their 20th English top-flight crown and drawing level with United in the all-time standings.
The win, fueled by goals from Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah, ensured that Liverpool couldn’t be caught by Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, who trailed with 82 points. While the red half of Merseyside erupted into celebration, creating an electric and euphoric atmosphere inside Anfield, Neville was already eyeing the exit.
Footage from LFCTV captured the ex-United defender hurriedly leaving the commentary gantry at full-time, clearly eager to avoid the scenes of jubilation from a fanbase that has long been one of his fiercest footballing foes. While many assumed Neville’s quick departure was driven purely by rivalry and the emotional sting of watching Liverpool match Manchester United’s title haul, he’s now come forward with a more candid explanation.
Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast, It’s Called Soccer, the 50-year-old explained that things began to escalate in the stands around him during the latter stages of the game, prompting a decision to get out fast.
“Normally, I stay behind and record the podcast right after the final whistle,” Neville explained. “But during the match, it started to get a bit fruity where I was up in the gantry. The Liverpool fans around us were getting louder, rowdier, and let’s just say — not exactly friendly. The security guard stuck close, and once the final whistle blew and Peter Drury wrapped up his commentary, we had an understanding — I wouldn’t speak, and I’d just leave.”
As celebrations erupted all around him, Neville made a swift and stealthy retreat. “We legged it,” he admitted. “Got out to the concourse, ahead of most of the fans, and thought we’d managed to escape the worst of it.”
But the chaos wasn’t over.
Despite managing to exit the stadium, Neville soon found himself overwhelmed by swarms of jubilant Liverpool fans still caught up in the party atmosphere across the city. The sheer volume of supporters, some taunting him and others trying to get a reaction, proved too much.
“I got absolutely abused,” Neville confessed. “There were people everywhere, and yeah, I snapped at a couple of them. It just got too much — not violent, but constant, like a barrage. I wasn’t in the mood, and it showed.”
Even after he got back into his car, the ordeal continued. While making his way home, he encountered more Liverpool supporters on the roads, still riding the high of their title triumph.
“A guy on the M60 had a go — shouting, waving, who knows what,” Neville recounted. “Honestly, I’ve never been aggressive, never been confrontational, but in that moment, I genuinely considered pulling over. It was one of those old-school, boiling-point moments.”
In the end, Neville made it home, but not without a final word on the experience. “It wasn’t the best half hour after the game, put it that way. It was a reminder of just how intense this rivalry is, especially when Liverpool are winning — and United aren’t.”
The pundit, who has long worn his Red Devils allegiance on his sleeve, has endured plenty of stick over the years from rival fans. But witnessing Liverpool’s coronation from the commentary box — and being in the heart of Anfield as it happened — might just have been one of his most difficult moments yet.