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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Smith

Gary Neville admits "grassing" on Liverpool rival Steven Gerrard's celebration

Gary Neville has admitted to Steven Gerrard that he "grassed" him up to the FA over one of his celebrations.

Man Utd legend Neville was charged with his over the top celebration against Liverpool in 2006 - when he sprinted the length of the pitch after Rio Ferdinand's late winner to goad Reds fans by repeatedly kissing his badge.

When up in front of the FA's disciplinary board, Neville put together a defence around similar celebrations - including one of Gerrard's.

The midfielder famously ran in front of Everton supporters while cupping his ear and sticking his tongue out at Goodison Park after a textbook screamer in the 2001 Merseyside derby.

Gary Neville celebrates in front of the Liverpool fans after Rio Ferdinand scored (REUTERS)

Neville made the admission while watching back some of Gerrard's most famous goals on Sky Sports' Soccerbox.

Neville said: "Do you know this celebration? I used this celebration in my evidence.

"You know when I went up to the Liverpool fans after the game and I got fined.

"I used your celebration, I sort of grassed on you. I said 'Look he did this and you didn't fine him'. Neville added: "It's some goal though isn't it."

Steven Gerrard celebrates scoring in front of Everton fans (Getty)

Gerrard laughed and said: "It was one of my favourite goals because of where it is and who it was against.

"All the build up two weeks that before was 'You've got to beat them, you've got to beat them. Make sure they don't beat us.' I know you had a similar thing with [Manchester] City.

"There was always a bigger satisfaction when you scored against Everton."

Speaking in 2016 about the infamous celebration, Neville said: "It was probably one of the best moments because we were struggling at the time, we hadn't won the league for three years and it just felt like one of the best moments we had in a couple of years.

"Every time we scored against Liverpool and it was a winner, and you knew it was a winner, I would celebrate. For me personally, that's what it's about.

"I think Steven Gerrard has celebrated in front of the United fans a few times, Robbie Fowler definitely did and you've just got to take it on the chin."

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