Roy Keane wasn’t impressed with Liverpool’s ‘pub team defending’
Roy Keane blasted Liverpool’s defenders and tactics, saying he ‘couldn’t believe how bad they were’ against Arsenal on Sunday.
Liverpool suffered only their second Premier League defeat of the season at the Emirates, losing 3-1 thanks to goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
While it was an impressive performance from the Gunners, the Reds were nowhere near their imperious best, with several key defensive errors contributing to their downfall.
A horrific mix up between captain Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson caused Martinelli’s goal, with the centre-back later admitting responsibility for the mistake, saying he should have just headed the ball clear.
Keane agreed with Van Dijk’s comments, but went further, claiming the whole team’s approach to the game was completely wrong.
‘In terms of the intensity from the first whistle to the last whistle from Liverpool, I can’t believe how bad they were,’ the Manchester United said on Sky Sports.
‘Credit to Arsenal, they turned up and were at it. But Liverpool defensively, the goals they gave away – it was like a pub team defending.
A match to forget for Liverpool (Photo: Getty)
‘In general play, Liverpool were playing little tippy-tappy football at the back, the goalkeeper kicking balls out… the reason we think Liverpool have been successful is because they’re quite direct, they do things quickly.
‘Whereas today, they almost changed their mindset. I was watching it going “do they realise how important this game is?”.
‘Defenders are making the game complicated now. Just head that ball – it really is straightforward. We like players being laid back and casual – but I don’t. Switch on, smell the danger, head the ball. At centre-half, if in doubt, head the ball.’
Liverpool are still top of the table, but the result means Arsenal are now just two points behind, while Manchester City will overtake the Reds should they win their two games in hand.
A favourable run of Burnley, Brentford and Luton follows, but while Keane is sure Klopp’s side will bounce back, he doesn’t think it will be enough to stop City from winning the title race.
‘I was disappointed with what Liverpool did today, but if you step back, it’s their second defeat. I’m pretty sure they’ll react because they’re a top quality side, but we expected more today,’ he added.
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‘Instead of maybe being too critical of Liverpool, as poor as they were, we have to give that bit of credit to Arsenal. Maybe because they had to win it, they wanted it more.
‘Liverpool had an off day and Arsenal are nice on the eye, but I still can’t see these two teams finishing above Man City, I just can’t.
I’ve been proven wrong before but look where City are, De Bruyne has come back, Haaland’s available. I don’t see those two teams going right to the end in terms of keeping up with Man City. I just can’t see it.
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