Clive Tyldesley slams Rio Ferdinand’s Merseyside derby commentary – comparing the Man United legend to Ali G and taking aim at ‘profound’ three-word soundbite

Football commentary legend Clive Tyldesley has slammed Rio Ferdinand and TNT Sports for their commentary during Liverpool‘s dramatic draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby.

The rearranged match, due to Storm Darragh, took place on Wednesday evening and ended in chaos after James Tarkowski’s late equaliser meant the points were shared in the final-ever derby at Goodison Park.

After the full-time whistle, four red cards were shown, including to Reds boss Arne Slot and two players after Abdoulaye Doucoure had goaded the away fans.

Off-the-field, however, there was a three-person commentary team in place for the game, featuring anchor Darren Fletcher and summarisers Ally McCoist and Ferdinand.

While the work received mixed reviews on social media, Tyldesley, who is most commonly associated with covering England games on ITV until he was replaced by Sam Matterface in 2020, gave his views too.

The 70-year-old, writing on his Substack page, has criticised the approach from the broadcaster, and singled out Ferdinand for particular judgement.

Football commentary icon Clive Tylsedley said that his three-word catchphrase was ‘not quite enough’ for standards set

Ferdinand has been a regular on TNT Sports’ football coverage since joining company in 2015

He wrote: ‘As Rio Ferdinand profoundly remarked, “Oh my God, Oh my God.”‘

Adding: If the essence of football commentary is to capture the mood of an occasion, TNT’s 3-strong attack on our senses nailed it. It was all of the above. The three amigos each caught the fever in rashes.’

Criticising a little more, he continued: ‘Last night he (McCoist) sounded like he was already at the bar with a couple of mates and didn’t want to be disturbed,’ he began. ‘When “2 becomes 3” on the commentary gantry, their exchanges are inevitably littered with name-checks and private jokes.

‘Their audience are made to eavesdrop on their intercourse like outsiders. We feel like we are listening to their podcast. And last night Statler and Waldorf were joined by special guest Ali G. “Oh my God. Oh my God.”

‘Having the judgment and knowledge to read a game doesn’t necessarily give an ex-player the ability to read it out loud to an audience of millions. They are two separate professions with their own techniques and thought processes. If you are coming from football into broadcasting, you need to be schooled and coached in the methods and disciplines of communication. Your words should count.

‘”Oh my God. Oh my God” is not quite enough.’

Ferdinand began working with the broadcaster in 2015 following his retirement from playing and has received mixed reviews for his work.

Tyldesley, meanwhile, started his television career in 1986, working at the likes of the BBC and ITV up until 2024, with Euro 2024 his final tournament with the latter.

Ferdinand has received mixed reviews for his work, which continued during the derby

Tyldesley compared him to fictional character Ali G (left) – an extrovert whos attitude was based on perceived commentary

According to Tyldesley, broadcast is heading in a direction that has more of a watchalong approach rather than viewers listening to the professionals.

He wrote: ‘No advances in televisual technology and enjoyment have ever been achieved without experiment. The “3-man booth” experiment is taking place against a backdrop of growing familiarity with the chattering, jabbering, gossiping sound of football talk on our screens and platforms. I get that.’

‘If it sounds a little jarring and jumbled to me, then maybe that’s a reflection of a media landscape where everything is noisier and nosier than it was. Perhaps a “watch along” version of live football commentary is what the viewing public has been waiting for. If it is, I have only three words to offer.

‘Oh my God.’