Carragher clarifies stance following Neville’s criticism
Jamie Carragher has publicly corrected Gary Neville after being accused of criticising long throws and set-pieces, insisting that his remarks were misrepresented and that his true point was about the slowing pace of modern football, reports BritPanorama.
The former Liverpool and England defender used last week’s Monday Night Football to analyse the growing influence of long throws as a tactical weapon across the Premier League. The segment came a day after Liverpool’s defeat to Manchester United, and Carragher highlighted how teams have increasingly relied on throw-ins and set plays to create scoring opportunities.
Neville, speaking days later on The Overlap podcast, suggested that Carragher had expressed a dislike for the use of long throws altogether. “Carra said the other night on Monday Night Football… I thought it was really interesting because, to be fair, I disagree with the point,” Neville noted.
Carragher swiftly responded on social media, accusing his former England teammate of twisting his words. “For the 100th time, I didn’t say I hate set-pieces or long throws!” he wrote. “What I don’t like is every team taking long throws and the time it’s taking out of the game. I totally get teams doing it who struggle and lack quality of getting the ball in the box. I also like seeing how teams cope with them.”
He elaborated, “But teams who have great technical players and have spent £100 million on them should be getting the ball in play as quick as they can to get these players on the ball. I’m no football snob but this is taking the game backwards!”
Carragher’s clarification reignited the ongoing debate over set-piece tactics in elite football. While Neville, along with former internationals Roy Keane and Ian Wright, praised the return of long throws as a legitimate “entry into the box,” Carragher’s stance remained focused on preserving the rhythm of play and maximising the quality of football on display.
Set-pieces have become increasingly significant in the modern Premier League, with several clubs employing specialist coaches to refine their approach. Arsenal, Brentford, and Liverpool have all reaped rewards from well-rehearsed routines, though Carragher has previously questioned the balance between attacking and defensive execution.
During the closing stages of last season, Carragher criticised Arsenal’s set-piece coach Nicolas Jover, arguing that the Gunners’ defensive record at dead-ball situations undermined their otherwise strong reputation. “In terms of percentage, only Manchester United are worse than Arsenal set piece-wise this season,” Carragher stated at the time.
As the discourse on set-pieces continues to evolve, this exchange highlights how even in football iconography, perspectives can shift dramatically between teammates, reminding fans that the beautiful game is as much a battle of ideas as it is of tactics.
