Mark Lawrenson (right) was frustrated with Neymar (left) against Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
That is the view of BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson, who saw his former club Liverpool lose 2-1 away to PSG in the Champions League group stages on Wednesday evening.
The defeat leaves Jurgen Klopp’s side needing a victory in their final Group C game at home to Napoli next month to qualify for the knockout stages of the competition.
While Neymar was guilty of rolling around after challenges, he finished off a swift attack to score in the 37th minute to double the French giants’ advantage.
The goal made him the highest scoring Brazilian in Champions League history, and while James Milner pulled one back from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time, PSG held their nerve to claim the win.
And Lawrenson admitted that while Neymar’s theatrics were annoying, he insisted that PSG were the better side on the night.
“The play acting should not take away from PSG's performance,” Lawrenson said.
“Neymar gets on your nerves but wow can he play when he gets his head down.
“Liverpool got better but they didn't have a golden chance, and Gianluigi Buffon didn't have a save to make.”
Marco Verratti was lucky not to see red for this challenge on Joe Gomez (Image: GETTY)
Neymar gets on your nerves but wow can he play when he gets his head down
Mark Lawrenson
Fellow BBC Sport pundit Stephen Warnock agreed with Lawrenson’s assessment.
He said: “The quality of Kylian Mbappe and Neymar was too much to handle.
“Liverpool contained them in the first tie, but they knew it would be tough tonight and they were difficult to get the ball off.”
Marco Verratti was lucky to stay on the pitch in the first half after a high challenge on Joe Gomez.
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