Keane: 'Liverpool defend like a pub team'

Former football star Roy Keane criticized Liverpool's defense in the 1-3 loss to Arsenal in round 23 of the Premier League on the evening of February 4.

"Liverpool defended like a pub team," Keane compared Liverpool to a team anyone could join for a drink. "I couldn't believe how bad they were in terms of intensity from start to finish, whether they had the ball or not."

Keane also blamed captain Virgil Van Dijk for all three goals Liverpool conceded. The Dutchman had every right to have a bad game, he said, but warned that conceding three goals in a big game could hurt Liverpool later in the season.

Van Dijk (right) and Alisson (middle) scored the second goal for Arsenal in Liverpool's 1-3 loss in round 23 of the Premier League on the evening of February 4 at Emirates Stadium. Photo: AP

For Liverpool's third goal, Van Dijk was close to Leandro Trossard, but did not attempt to limit his opponent's shooting opportunity. Keane believes the Liverpool captain should have acted to avoid the goal that ended the team's hopes of earning points.

"Trossard couldn't believe his luck," added Keane. "He almost reluctantly took the shot."

Meanwhile, Van Dijk took responsibility for the second goal, which Liverpool conceded after a miscommunication between himself and goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Liverpool captain admitted that he should have cleared the ball instead of letting Alisson take it. He promised to come back and not make the same mistake.

Van Dijk also felt sorry for the fans: "It hurts me to see the fans and the club disappointed. It's bad to make mistakes. I will work hard and come back."

In the match on the evening of February 4, Van Dijk could not keep up with the counter-attack, leading to Arsenal's opening goal in the 14th minute. After Kai Havertz comfortably got down and shot off Alisson, Bukayo Saka's rebound put the home team ahead. Liverpool equalized thanks to Gabriel's own goal in the 45+3 minute, but could not maintain the balance for too long. In the 67th minute, they gave their opponents the second goal. Van Dijk did not clear the ball early but let Alisson rush out, but the Liverpool goalkeeper was not decisive. As a result, the ball fell to Gabriel Martinelli, who comfortably shot into the empty net, raising the score to 2-1 for Arsenal.

Liverpool were reduced to 10 men from the 88th minute, when centre-back Ibrahima Konate was sent off. Four minutes later, they paid the price and picked the ball out of the net for the third time. After breaking down the left wing, Trossard comfortably nutmegged Alisson.

After the win over Liverpool, Arsenal moved up to second in the Premier League with 49 points. Liverpool still lead with 51 points after 23 games, but are only five points ahead of Man City and have played two games more.

Thanh Quy (according to BT Sport, ESPN )

Source link