Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane has delivered a sobering verdict on Liverpool, describing the club as being “in crisis” following their 3-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The Reds, reigning Premier League champions, have already suffered five losses this season and currently sit eighth in the league table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal—a concerning drop for a club of Liverpool’s stature.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Keane singled out defensive weaknesses as the primary issue plaguing Arne Slot’s side. He said: “At this moment, Liverpool can’t be considered title contenders. They’ve lost five matches now, and the type of goals they’re conceding… people talk about their attacking players, but defensively they are all over the place. This defeat will sting more than the others. Some losses were last-minute heartbreaks, but this one exposes real problems. It’s crisis time for Liverpool.”
Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher also weighed in, highlighting the struggles of Ibrahima Konate. Having spent over 700 games in Liverpool’s defense, Carragher was critical of the Frenchman, saying: “I don’t understand what Konate is trying to do. When Liverpool concede or encounter problems, he’s often at the center of it. Too often this season, he’s gone missing, especially away from home.”
Keane did not hold back in his assessment of Liverpool’s overall performance. While Slot’s side had appeared to regain some momentum after victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, Keane argued that those results are now irrelevant. “To lose seven in ten and five times already is crisis time for a club like Liverpool,” he stated. “City looked stronger, technically better, and physically superior. Liverpool appeared flat. Yes, they still have quality, but defensively, poor decision-making and lack of intensity made them look vulnerable. Slot may have been pleased with the second half, but the game was already over. This is a clear crisis.”
Manchester City, meanwhile, climbed to second in the Premier League with the win and appear to be finding form again, sitting just four points behind Arsenal. Keane praised City’s cohesion and suggested they are genuine title contenders. “This reminded me of the City of old,” he said. “Some players have 60-70 games under their belts, and it’s coming together. Arsenal will have taken note—Man City are back in the mix.”
