Gary Neville slams ‘billion-pound bottle jobs’ as Chelsea lose to Liverpool

Gary Neville described Chelsea as “billion-pound bottle jobs” after they conceded a late goal in extra time of the Carabao Cup final.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side played their part in an enthralling final in regulation time but their energy levels dipped in the 30 minutes of extra time and they were made to pay in the 118th minute.

Virgil van Dijk, who controversially saw a goal in the second half disallowed for offside, headed home the winner from a corner.

Neville’s lack of sympathy for the losing finalists

And Neville, while lavishing praise on Liverpool’s young players, said he had “no sympathy” for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

“It’s Klopp’s kids against the blue billion-pound bottle jobs,” Neville said after Van Dijk scored the only goal of the game.

At full-time, Neville hailed Reds boss Jurgen Klopp, saying: “He’s got a middleweight squad, a bantamweight team (today, due to injuries) but punches like a heavyweight and it’s because of him (Klopp).”

Liverpool began the match without several first-team players and their injury crisis deepened in the first half when Ryan Gravenberch was taken off on a stretcher.

Defender Joe Gomez came on in his place in a substitution that underlined Liverpool’s lack of senior, available options in midfield, but they got over the line regardless and scorer Van Dijk was full of praise for his teammates at full-time after clinching his first piece of silverware as the Reds’ captain.

“All the young boys played their part in what we achieved today and it’s incredible,” Van Dijk said. “You should always savour the good moments and this is definitely one of them.

“We will never take these things for granted, we are very, very blessed. I’m so proud to be part of this club and I’m proud of the boys. They all played their part.”