Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has reacted to the controversy over his comments on Liverpool goalkeeper Lorius Karius.
The German shot-stopper was guilty of two costly blunders earlier this month, against Bournemouth and West Ham United respectively, and came under significant scrutiny.
With Jurgen Klopp opting to take him out of the firing line by dropping him in midweek at Middlesbrough, it has given Karius a chance to get out of the limelight, regroup and come back a stronger character.
However, Neville has defended himself from criticism, which probably won’t impress Liverpool supporters much, by insisting on The Sunday Supplement that it’s never a good idea to take on a pundit or journalist in public and was adamant that his comments were merely observations not criticisms.
As a United legend, he’s surely enjoying distracting their fiercest rivals by continuing the conversation about Karius and is taking the opportunity to wind up Liverpool further.
Although in his defence, he makes a number of valid points too and so may well be genuine with his thoughts on the matter and is looking to bring an end to the discussion.
It remains to be seen whether or not Klopp brings Karius back into his starting line-up for the Merseyside derby on Monday night, as another snub could hurt the 23-year-old’s confidence.
"It was a story that grew and mushroomed out of nothing."
SS1 now or here: https://t.co/l49HlvBslM https://t.co/UCEejbXDch— Sunday Supplement (@SundaySupp) December 18, 2016
"It's not a criticism, it's an observation in my job."
SS1 now or here: https://t.co/l49HlvBslM https://t.co/4BXwl0ItjK— Sunday Supplement (@SundaySupp) December 18, 2016