Roy Keane has lambasted Liverpool for slacking off since clinching the Premier League title, even going as far as to call them "irritating". After a resounding 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham in April that saw them lift the trophy, the Reds have failed to notch up any league wins. Arne Slot’s team tasted defeat at the hands of Chelsea with a 3-1 loss, only managed a draw at home against Arsenal despite leading by two goals, and recently fumbled a lead in their 3-2 defeat to Brighton.
The slump in form is a stark contrast to the side that had only suffered two defeats before their title victory. Keane didn't hold back on his show Stick to Football: "Liverpool have switched off – they're irritating me," he vented. "It doesn't matter [that they've won the league], but the fringe players and the B team are coming in – what kind of message is that? I'm thinking come on – show a bit of class. [Mohamed] Salah scores a goal, and he's taking pictures – the game's still on. Liven up a little bit!"
Mohamed Salah's selfie celebration became a particular point of contention for Keane. Despite the game being active, Salah captured the moment with the fans in the 63rd minute against Spurs, right after scoring to make it 4-1, essentially sealing the deal for Liverpool’s league triumph amid an electrifying atmosphere at Anfield.
Slot shuffled his deck in the inconsequential clashes with Chelsea and Brighton, offering a chance to Liverpool’s fringe players to shine. The gruelling match against Arsenal, a draw against their top rivals, was deemed a fair result.
Liverpool could hit 86 points in their final game, just below Arsenal’s tally from last season.
Post-celebrations of clinching the Premier League title, Slot discussed the challenge of firing up his squad for the last four matches. He revealed that the team had been enjoying a breather in Dubai after a packed season.
Slot said: "It's difficult for a team who has already won the league to train so many days in a row," noting the rigorous schedule faced in multiple competitions this year. "We have hardly had any time off in the season because of so many competitions - I want to make that clear.
"The boys deserved a few days off, it's been a long season for us, to train three days is enough to be physically ready for the game. To be mentally ready is something different."
"At the end of the season you have to find the right balance to be mentally fresh... I think the honest answer is yes (it is harder to motivate them)."
Liverpool's next challenge is an encounter with FA Cup winners Crystal Palace at Anfield. This presents Slot's team with the opportunity to hoist the trophy in front of their supporters for the first time in 35 years.