Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has claimed that Liverpool defended like a pub team against Arsenal on Sunday.
League leaders Liverpool were beaten 3-1 by Arsenal. Goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard saw the north London club close the gap on league leaders Liverpool.
Liverpool has been solid all season, thanks to the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Ibrahim Konate, and others. However, there was a moment of madness in the second half that made the headlines on Sunday evening.
A long ball found its way to Arsenal's Kai Havertz. Havertz and Van Dijk battled for the incoming ball. The ball was allowed to bounce, and the onrushing Alisson tried to clear the ball. He missed the ball, and the ball fell to Martinelli, who slotted the second goal into the empty net.
Keane, who was doing punditry duties for the game, described Liverpool's defence as "pub-like."
"In terms of the intensity from the first whistle to the last from Liverpool, in possession and without, I can't believe how bad they were. Again, credit to Arsenal; they turned up and were at it, but Liverpool defensively gave away the goals they gave away, like a pub team defending, "the Cork native said.
"Like a pub team defending" 🍺
Roy Keane on Liverpool defensively 😳 pic.twitter.com/8MsjN43i8O— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 4, 2024
The overriding theme of the game is that Manchester City will be the happiest of the three teams contending for the Premier League title. City has two games in hand and is five points behind Liverpool.
Keane, like many, believes that the Premier League will remain in Manchester because of the experience and personnel they have in their ranks.
"Having watched the game live today, I know that Liverpool had an off day, and Arsenal is still nice on the eye, but I still couldn't see these two teams finishing ahead of Manchester City, "said Keane.
"I just can't. Obviously, I've been proved wrong before, but you look where City is; with Kevin De Bruyne coming back and Erling Haaland available, I don't see those two teams going right till the end. I think in terms of keeping up with Man City, I just can't see it."
Liverpool plays Burnley next Saturday. That game kicks off at 3 p.m.
