Phil Neville – “I hated Merseyside derbies”

Phil Neville has revealed how much he disliked playing in Merseyside derbies.

The contests between Liverpool and Everton seem to engulf Merseyside popular culture in the run-up to matches, and that wasn’t something former Everton captain Neville appreciated.

Speaking to Sky Sports (quoted by the Liverpool Echo), Neville said:

I hated Merseyside derbies, I really did,

I thought they were over-hyped. 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.

Encouraging words then for Liverpool fans, who have dominated the rivalry in recent years. The Toffees haven’t beaten the Reds since 2010, a span of 17 games.

Liverpool will be hoping to replicate the hostile atmosphere Neville so detested in future Merseyside derbies, as they seek to continue to keep their neighbours quiet.