Gary Neville names ‘best player on the pitch’ during Chelsea’s victory over Liverpool

Gary Neville was on commentary duty for Chelsea vs Liverpool (Picture: YouTube)

Gary Neville was in no doubt over the ‘best player on the pitch’ during Chelsea’s 3-1 victory over Premier League champions Liverpool.

Chelsea boosted their hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League by inflicting just a third league defeat on Liverpool.

Liverpool clinched a 20th English league title last weekend and were perhaps understandably way off the pace for much of Sunday’s clash at Stamford Bridge.

Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea the lead after just three minutes and Jarell Quansah’s own put the hosts 2-0 up and cruising towards an important win.

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk halved the deficit with an 85th-minute header but Chelsea held on to move three points ahead of top-five rival Nottingham Forest.

Neville described Chelsea’s victory as ‘potentially massive’ and said Cole Palmer was the ‘best player on the pitch’.

Palmer, who has struggled of late following an excellent first-half to the season, played a role in all three of Chelsea’s goals and Neville said he was a ‘joy to watch’.

Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer celebrate Chelsea’s second goal (Picture: Getty)

‘He’s the best player on the pitch by an absolute street,’ Neville said on Sky Sports commentary. ‘He’s been brilliant today, he really has.’

After naming Palmer as his Player of the Match, the ex-Manchester United and England defender added: ‘It’s been a brilliant performance from Palmer. He’s been a joy to watch.

‘He deserved that goal because he’s been the difference. A class act on the pitch throughout.’

More to follow…