After Liverpool endured a nightmare first half against Manchester United, Roy Keane did not hold back in his criticism of Arne Slot's players
Roy Keane speaking
Roy Keane has torn into Liverpool's first half display(Image: Sky Sports)
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Roy Keane has slated "frightened" Liverpool after they shipped two goals in the first half against Manchester United. Arne Slot's side could not live with Michael Carrick's team in the opening 45 minutes.
Matheus Cunha hit a half volley into the ground which bounced out of the reach of Freddie Woodman and into the bottom corner after only six first half minutes. Less than ten minutes later, Benjamin Sesko bundled in a controversial second for United.
When the Slovenian found the net, Slot and his Liverpool players immediately claimed the ball had hit his hand on its way into the net. While any contact would have been accidental, any goal which strikes the hand of an attacker before going in is disallowed.
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VAR had a significant look at it, but despite multiple angles, only Sesko himself would know for sure as to whether it struck his hand or not, meaning the goal was given to Carrick's side. While Slot and his stars may feel aggrieved about the decision, Keane had zero sympathy for the Reds.
When asked about the Reds' first half display, Keane said: "[Slot] won't be happy [with the Sesko handball call] but he should be more upset with his team.
"They look frightened to death. They've started slow, they've given up two goals, defensively - the second goal, Robertson getting beaten at the back post, Robertson defending so far and going forward...Oh it's been dreadful.
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"Liverpool are like a five-a-side team but a bad five-a-side team. Not athletic, giving away the ball cheaply. United look like they can score every time they go forward."
When asked about Sesko's goal, both Keane and Daniel Sturridge in the studio all agreed the goal was right to stand, arguing there was no clear and obvious evidence the ball had touched the United forward's hand.
Sturridge began the conversation by saying: "It’s come off the upper thigh and it seems like it’s grazed the nail. But they’ve made a decision they think is the right one.
"It doesn’t look clear but it looks like there’s a small touch on the nail. Are you going to take a goal back because of a touch on the fingernail?"
Keane, who had a disagreement with Sturridge at the start of the show, also agreed with the former Liverpool forward, saying: "I’m a bit old school, I don’t think you want those goals getting cancelled.”
Sturridge then replied, "There’s a touch, though. There’s a slight touch,” before Keane closed the conversation by saying: Keane: “There is, but they’ve had a look at it (and decided it’s a goal).”
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