Saturday’s match in Michigan may only be a friendly, but when Manchester United and Liverpool FC get together, there is typically nothing all too friendly about it. United club legends Gary and Phil Neville heaped harsh public criticism on Xherdan Shaqiri, Liverpool’s second summer transfer window addition.
Shaqiri responded to the Neville brothers’ critiques and in doing invoked the arch-rivalry between the two clubs.
“They were Manchester United players. Maybe they don’t like Liverpool,” Shaqiri said of the Neville brothers while on preseason tour in the United States. (Liverpool beat Manchester City 2-1 last night in a preseason friendly featuring the two means expected to be the top two Premier League title contenders this season)
“Some people like you, some people don’t like you. I don’t want to comment on what is said by people I don’t know.”
“I think I played three years already in the Premier League and I’ve proved I can play here. I can score goals and give assists. I know the league well. I have a lot of experience.
“I was the top scorer in the (Stoke City) team with goals and assists, so I don’t have to say any more. I think everybody knows that. My conscience is clear.”
The Switzerland international was indeed the best player on a horrific Potters team last season. With Stoke now relegated, Shaqiri had no interest in plying his trade in the championship this upcoming season, and thus he got a move he wanted to a bigger and better club.
Gary Neville, who has developed into quite the bold provocateur during his punditry career, labeled Shaqiri “unprofessional” before the Swiss commenced their World Cup campaign.
Phil Neville slammed him a few days later in a very scathing manner- branding him “a disgrace.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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