Gary Neville response to Mohamed Salah shows true 'narrative' between Arsenal and Liverpool

Liverpool supporters watching the 1-0 win over Leipzig from home were left confused on Wednesday evening when, early in the game, TNT Sports' commentary team suddenly went silent as the action unfolded in front of them.

The lack of noise was later put down to a microphone problem and was eventually sorted as the TNT technicians overcame the gremlins preventing Darren Fletcher and his team describing the game.

And those watching Sky Sports coverage of Liverpool's draw with Arsenal on Sunday would have been forgiven for thinking those gremlins had returned when Mohamed Salah bagged a late equaliser in an eventful 2-2 draw.

Indeed, after Peter Drury had described the slick move that saw Trent Alexander-Arnold clip the ball to Darwin Nunez before the Uruguayan's pass invited Salah to slam home, the only sound coming from the coverage for those watching in their living rooms was that of the Liverpool away end celebrating what could be an important moment in the Premier League title race.

There was no such enthusiasm from Drury's co-commentator Gary Neville, whose 'ooohs' had accompanied Bukayo Saka's opening goal inside 10 minutes. And as the pendulum swung the other way in an absorbing contest, the drama that often accompanies such big moments seemed lacking.

But perhaps those howling for Neville to be replaced on commentary are missing the point. As a lifelong Manchester United supporter and somebody who boasts legendary status at Old Trafford, it's hardly a surprise that Neville wasn't getting emotional about Salah's goal.

Nor did Liverpool fans have a problem when Jamie Carragher labelled the Egyptian a "little dancer" after a late goal against Tottenham in 2019. The idea that ex-players should be completely neutral seems far-fetched in an era in which we also value their passion.

However, the enthusiasm which greeted Arsenal's opener and seemed lacking in Liverpool's equaliser perhaps speaks to something different going on early in a Premier League season in which the challengers for Manchester City's crown are yet to totally become clear.

The narrative going into the game, of course, was that Arsenal were the underdogs. It was a theme Mikel Arteta was quick to lean into as he tried to manufacture a backs-to-the-wall performance from his side.

William Saliba was rightly suspended. That was nobody's fault, of course, other than the Frenchman's. Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard remained sidelined with an injury that has kept him out for much of the season so far.

Riccardo Calafiori, the £42million signing from Bologna, was also sidelined, meaning Arsenal were reduced to playing £38m Jurrien Timber at left-back with £45m Thomas Partey on the opposite side. Meanwhile, Gabriel was partnered in Arsenal's defence by £50m signing Ben White.

Saka, whose own fitness was subject to much speculation both from the media and Arteta himself in the build-up, was fine to start and score the opening goal.

Liverpool went into the game with five players missing injured, including their first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and first-choice forward Diogo Jota. Their only summer signing, the £12.5m Federico Chiesa, wasn't fit enough to make the bench. Nor was Harvey Elliott or Conor Bradley.

And yet the narrative of Arsenal's underdog status was one pushed by the wider media both before, during and after the game. Liverpool's own troubles overlooked, which might explain some pointed comments from Virgil van Dijk after the match.

So why did it feel like Liverpool were the supporting act in Arsenal's drama on Sunday evening? It may well be explained by the idea that neutrals are desperate to see someone put up a fight and perhaps displace City as champions in May.

Another title win would be Pep Guardiola's fifth consecutive crown and, for many football fans, Arsenal represent the best chance at an alternative champion at the end of the current campaign.

And while some Liverpool supporters might not like the idea of Arteta's side doing what Liverpool only managed to do on one occasion by ousting City, a fully-firing Gunners is a good thing for broadcasters, pundits and fans not wanting to see a City procession. There's no arguing the fact that they've pushed City all the way in the past couple of years and lasted longer than Liverpool when the title race came down to the wire last term.

Despite a very good start to the season, it's clear that Liverpool are yet to fully convince they can still be fighting for the title in May and it's up to Slot's side to convince otherwise.

For now, Slot will surely be happy for his side to go under the radar when it comes to the title race, the Dutchman content to block out what noise there is and continue to help his team evolve throughout the season.

Neville might not be celebrating Liverpool goals any time soon but if Slot's side continue their development, he won't be able to ignore them, either.

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