LiveScore Daily: Neville stands by 'bottle jobs' jibe at Poch's Blues

LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.

Harsh but fair

Gary Neville admits his "blue billion-pound bottle jobs" jibe at Chelsea was harsh — but the former Manchester United and England star stands by it.

The Sky Sports pundit, 49, slammed Mauricio Pochettino's young side after they slipped to a 1-0 defeat to injury-hit Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.

Pochettino has overseen a disappointing campaign since arriving at Stamford Bridge last summer and his expensively-assembled squad were sunk by Virgil van Dijk’s late header in extra-time at Wembley.

Explaining the thinking behind his claim on Sky Bet's Stick to Football podcast, Neville said: "I got progressively angrier during extra-time with Chelsea.

"I felt as though it needed to be said, it's a harsh line. I said that they froze in extra-time — there is no doubt they were playing with fear and froze.

"Bottle doesn't mean cowardness, they just froze on the day. Sometimes you do freeze."

Positive influence

Ben Godfrey is relishing the positive influence Sean Dyche has on the Everton dressing room.

The Toffees were hit by a 10-point deduction earlier this season for violating profit and sustainability rules before an appeal saw the punishment reduced to six points.

And centre-back Godfrey, 26, who was linked with a move away from Goodison Park last month, believes the club have Dyche to thank for giving the team the best possible chance of remaining in the Premier League.

He said: "You can definitely feel a new atmosphere. The manager has brought a lot of positives to the club.

"I think we feel tighter as a group. We can have a laugh as a group, everyone is on the same page, everyone gets involved and everyone new is made to feel welcome.

"The togetherness shows on the pitch with our performances as well. You saw it at the back end of last season and even more so this season.

"Everyone's digging in together and it feels like there's a group of mates out there fighting for each other.

“There's no better feeling than that, especially when you have success at the end of it. It's such a good environment at the minute."

Dyche's men currently sit five points clear of the drop zone in 15th.

We want him to stay

LaLiga president Javier Tebas is keen to see Mason Greenwood extend his stay in Spain beyond this season.

The Manchester United forward, 22, faced charges including attempted rape and assault but the Crown Prosecution Service announced in February 2023 that the case had been discontinued.

Greenwood joined Getafe on loan last summer and Tebas has been impressed by what he has seen.

Speaking at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit, he said: "He's doing really well at Getafe.

"I hope he continues to be successful and he continues to stay in Spanish football because that's always good for us.

"He is just another player. He had a past but not a past we can do anything about. He was innocent and wasn't condemned.

"We can't be judges for everything. If we did that, we'd have no teams.

"I'm a lawyer, so it's important to say he is not condemned. He was acquitted [in the UK]. Greenwood was not condemned, so I don't care."

Count on Klopp returning

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo does not expect Jurgen Klopp to be out of work for long after he leaves Liverpool this summer.

Klopp, 56, stunned the football world last month when he announced he would walk away from Anfield at the end of the season to take a rest from football.

His side won the Carabao Cup last weekend and are still in contention for the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.

The next step of Liverpool’s quest to win a second league title under the German tactician sees them visit Forest on Saturday.

And Nuno, whose side were sunk by a late goal in their FA Cup tie against Manchester United last night, hailed his fellow manager's impact.

He said: "For nine seasons he has progressively improved the team, he was able to renew it again and he is winning trophies.

"Besides being a fantastic manager, he is a very nice person. It is a tough, tough job, everyone is aware it is not easy.

"I respect Jurgen's decision but for sure he will be back in football."

Loan ranger

Keeper Lucas Bergstrom extended his contract with Chelsea until 2025 before joining Swedish club IF Brommapojkarna on loan.

The Finland international, 21, has yet to make a senior appearance for the Blues but did feature during the club's pre-season tour of the United States last summer.

He will remain with Brommapojkarna, who play in the top tier of Swedish football, until January 1.