Phil Neville makes controversial Liverpool claim that Everton fans will HATE

The city of Liverpool stops when the two old rivals clash but Neville believes Everton put too much focus on the games.

Speaking to brother Gary on Sky Sports‘ Soccerbox show, Neville claims the build-up to a Merseyside derby would start up to five days out before the game.

While at his old club Manchester United, they wouldn’t discuss playing their arch enemy City until 48 hours prior.

As he watched footage of Everton’s 3-0 win over Liverpool in 2006, a year after Neville joined the club, he said: “I hated Merseyside derbies, I really did. I thought they were overhyped.

“I think a Manchester derby, we used to talk about from 48 hours before. Merseyside derbies were a week before.

“The masseur would put up on the wall ‘five more sleeps’. The next day ‘four more sleeps’, the next day ‘three more sleeps until the Merseyside derby’. It was the biggest game.

“We used to go into derby days full of confidence thinking we could compete but Liverpool always used to play the game.

“We got too involved in trying to smash someone early on, fans saying you’ve got to die for the badge. It was the only game Everton wanted to win.”

Neville went on to reveal the specific instruction that David Moyes used to give his players ahead of the matches – and it concerned Kop legend Jamie Carragher.

“It’s a tight tunnel at Goodison Park. All you can here in the tight tunnel is Jamie Carragher, in his squeaky Scouse accent, shouting ‘come on lads’,” Neville continued.

“Every game we played against Liverpool, David Moyes would say ‘don’t let Jamie Carragher ref the game’.”

Neville’s record of derbies was far from great. He was twice sent off while playing for Everton against Liverpool – but at least enjoyed playing at home more.

“It was a better atmosphere at Goodison Park it was tighter,” he said.

“The fans were closer to the pitch – although they had a brilliant record at Goodison Park.”

Neville had earlier lifted the lid on his dressing room troubles after signing for Everton.

Neville was made Toffees captain by boss David Moyes after joining in a £3million deal in 2005.

He had spent the last 15 years at Manchester United, picking up six Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Champions League.

But it was a different story at Goodison Park where he felt ‘the teacher’s pet’ after being made skipper.

“They [the fans] hadn’t accepted me because after one month David Moyes made me captain,” he told Sky Sports.

“At the time I accepted it but, looking back, I shouldn’t have done.

“I should have got my feet under the table and waited six months but he wanted it done and he wanted it done straight away.

“I found it really tough as I wasn’t accepted by my team-mates. I was the teacher’s pet, I was Moyes’ little boy.”