In their first game since being found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations over a nine-year period, Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the season and climbed three points above defending champions Arsenal.
Manchester United legend Gary Neville described Anderson’s performance at Anfield as ‘absolutely outstanding’ and said he looks ‘worth every penny’ that Man City paid for him.
‘I thought Elliot Anderson was absolutely outstanding,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.
Man City thumped Liverpool at Anfield (Picture: Getty)
‘There were big, big question marks about the fee and whether he could replace Rodri and become a player to play at this level because he was coming from Nottingham Forest.
‘But he’s answered all of those questions already, he’s been absolutely outstanding and looks like a real top performer.
‘When Declan Rice moved to Arsenal we knew they were getting gold, we knew they were getting a fantastic player who would do a great job for them and be a difference-maker and could help them get to the title.
Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘I don’t think we thought that Elliot Anderson was maybe in that category or on that level, but his knowledge of the game and his understanding of his position has been really impressive.
‘He’s dominated big matches at Anfield and Old Trafford, he’s been outstanding and looks like he’s worth every single penny or more.’
Carragher also reserved special praise for Anderson and said he now looks like the second-best midfielder in the Premier League behind Arsenal’s Rice.
‘If you’re a Newcastle fan watching Elliot Anderson… they had to sell him but you think now could they have sold someone else and kept him?’ Carragher said.
‘It wasn’t a lot of money that they sold him for and you’re now looking at arguably the best midfield player in the country alongside Declan Rice.
‘I would always put Declan Rice on top of that list, certainly at the end of last season when he helped Arsenal win the title.
‘It should bode well for England as well going forward, they’ve got two midfielders there who are right at the top of the class in the Premier League.’
