Lineker left in silence as 'awful' joke backfires during Arsenal vs Liverpool

881     0
BBC presenter did not get the reaction he anticipated
BBC presenter did not get the reaction he anticipated

GARY LINEKER left BBC pundits Danny Murphy and Martin Keown scratching their heads after making a "pretty awful" joke during live TV coverage of the FA Cup third round.

Match of the Day host Lineker was presenting the broadcasters coverage of Arsenal's clash with Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Gary Lineker's joke fell flat with pundits Martin Keown and Danny Murphy qhiqhhiqxhiqzrprw
Gary Lineker's joke fell flat with pundits Martin Keown and Danny MurphyCredit: BBC
Lineker made a 'pretty awful' joke about Take That star Gary Barlow
Lineker made a 'pretty awful' joke about Take That star Gary BarlowCredit: Getty

He was joined by pundits Martin Keown and Danny Murphy.

As expected for a cup tie between two English heavyweights, there were some famous faces in attendance in North London.

A camera panning over the Emirates crowd revealed Take That frontman Gary Barlow was among the supporters watching the game.

Jurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin NunezJurgen Klopp's approach with Robert Lewandowski bodes well for Darwin Nunez

After spotting the pop singer, Lineker asked ex-Reds star Murphy whether Barlow, 52, was a Liverpool fan, with Murphy answering: "I think he is, yeah."

Lineker, 63, then took this opportunity to get a dad joke in, quipping: "But don’t take that as a given, how about that one?"

The joke of course, referenced Barlow's career with boy band Take That, though it did not seem to impress his peers despite Lineker sitting back seemingly expecting a reaction of some kind.

Ex-Arsenal star Keown appeared to be stumped while Murphy was left scratching his head.

Lineker then admitted: "Yeah it was a pretty awful one wasn’t it," before moving on.

CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS

The game itself would have left Barlow delighted after Jurgen Klopp's visitors triumphed 2-0 thanks to a late Jakub Kiwior own goal and Luis Diaz's thumping injury time strike.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta went on to suggest after the match that his strikers have psychological issues when it comes to scoring goals.

Asked in his post match interview whether missed chances were becoming a mental issue for his misfiring forwards, he said: "Probably it has, especially after today.

"That’s why we need to reset. Merit-wise there is no question that we deserve to win the games but the results are very different. If the team is getting hammered I’d be much more worried.

Celtic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fightCeltic icon Frank McGarvey dies aged 66 as tributes paid to hero after cancer fight

"But when my team plays with that courage and attitude against  probably the best team in Europe right now in terms of momentum, what can I do but stick by them and support them?”

Arsenal have failed to score with any of the last 48 shots they have taken in their two most recent home games.

This form will only serve to heighten calls - including from Ian Wright - for club transfer chiefs to splash out on a new striker, with Brentford's Ivan Toney one possible target ahead of his return.

However, Arteta admitted a new forward is not a "realistic" proposition for the club this month despite losing Gabriel Jesus through a knee injury.

The win means Liverpool, who last won the trophy in 2022, have secured a spot in tonight's FA Cup fourth round draw.

It is scheduled to get underway during the coverage of Manchester United's trip to Wigan which starts at 7:30pm GMT - kick-off is at 8:15pm GMT.

Here's how Arsenal v Liverpool played out on paper
Here's how Arsenal v Liverpool played out on paper

ARSENAL NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all the latest transfer news from the Emirates

Tony Robertson

Liverpool FC, Arsenal, Take That, FA Cup, BBC ONE, BBC, Martin Keown, Gary Lineker, Gary Barlow

Read more similar news:

01.01.2023, 16:14 • Sport
Cristiano Ronaldo sent message by new Al-Nassr team-mate after Mohamed Salah dig
01.01.2023, 15:57 • Sport
Cody Gakpo makes Man Utd admission following his shock £37m Liverpool move
01.01.2023, 22:30 • Sport
Van Dijk fires warning to Arsenal as he refuses to rule out Liverpool title push
01.01.2023, 22:30 • Sport
Klopp sends Liverpool transfer warning - but leaves door open for January deals
01.01.2023, 20:19 • Sport
Dutch icon De Boer reveals why Gakpo was right to snub Man Utd for Liverpool
01.01.2023, 21:00 • Sport
Cody Gakpo can emulate idol Thierry Henry and take Prem by storm, says old coach
02.01.2023, 04:00 • Sport
Arsenal identify Tielemans alternative as Liverpool midfielder linked with move
02.01.2023, 07:00 • Sport
Liverpool predicted line-up vs Brentford as Cody Gakpo sweating on debut
02.01.2023, 08:01 • Sport
Alisson fires "mentality" warning to Liverpool teammates after fortunate win
02.01.2023, 09:55 • Sport
Liverpool coach admits seeking Virgil van Dijk solution that "never happened"