Liverpool's recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester City has ignited fierce criticism from football pundit Roy Keane, who believes the Merseyside club is now in a state of crisis. The former Manchester United captain didn't hold back in his assessment, stating that Liverpool's defense is "all over the place" and that they can no longer be considered Premier League title contenders.
Keane's scathing remarks come after a series of disappointing results for Arne Slot's side, including five league losses this season. These defeats have seen Liverpool drop to eighth in the league standings, a significant eight points behind leaders Arsenal. The team has lost four away games in a row for the first time in 13 years, conceding 17 goals in their 11 league matches.
"I think it is crisis time for Liverpool," Keane declared on Sky Sports following the Manchester City defeat. "To lose seven in 10 with five league losses this season, it has to be a crisis for a team like Liverpool". He further emphasized his point by stating, "At this moment in time you can't be considering Liverpool for the Premier League title".
Keane was particularly critical of Liverpool's defensive frailties. "Defensively they are all over the place," he said. "The full-backs are a huge problem, the centre-half (Ibrahima Konate) looks a nervous wreck". He also lamented the lack of physicality and commitment from the players, stating, "You watch players dangling their legs, it's not what champions do. Put your body on the line".
Adding to the scrutiny, Liverpool's £100 million summer signing, Florian Wirtz, has come under fire for his recent performances. Despite a promising display in the Champions League win against Real Madrid, Wirtz struggled to make an impact against Manchester City. Former City defender Micah Richards believes Wirtz's inconsistent form is creating a problem for Slot. "Today we didn't see Wirtz again and that becomes a problem for the manager," Richards said.
Keane's assessment echoes concerns raised by other football pundits. Ian Wright, speaking on The Overlap, pointed out issues with Liverpool's full-backs and midfield, suggesting that the players don't fully understand Slot's tactical instructions. Wright noted a lack of cohesion within the team, stating, "There's no cohesion with them, none of the players are thriving with them".
Liverpool's next match is against [team name], and the team will be looking to address the issues raised by Keane and other critics. Slot faces a significant challenge in restoring confidence and solidity to his defense, as well as finding a way to integrate Wirtz into the team effectively. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Liverpool can turn their season around and salvage their hopes of a top-four finish.
