Liverpool endured a tortuous opening 45 minutes against Manchester United, but Roy Keane was not in the mood to dish out any sympathy for Arne Slot's side
Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom, on May 3, 2026
Arne Slot was not happy with the Reds' opening 45 minutes(Image: News Images/NurPhoto)
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Roy Keane savaged "frightened" Liverpool after they conceded two goals in the opening half against Manchester United. Arne Slot's side were completely outclassed by Michael Carrick's men during the first 45 minutes.
Matheus Cunha struck a half volley into the ground which bounced beyond the reach of Freddie Woodman and into the bottom corner after just six minutes. Fewer than ten minutes later, Benjamin Sesko bundled in a contentious second for United.
As the Slovenian found the net, Slot and his Liverpool players immediately protested that the ball had struck his hand on its way in. While any contact would have been unintentional, any goal that hits the hand of an attacker before crossing the line is ruled out.
VAR scrutinised the incident extensively, but despite examining numerous angles, only Sesko himself could truly know whether it caught his hand or not, and the goal was ultimately awarded to Carrick's side. While Slot and his players may feel hard done by over the ruling, Keane showed absolutely no sympathy for the Reds
When quizzed about Liverpool's first half performance, 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.
"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 questioned about Sesko's goal, both Keane and Daniel Sturridge in the studio unanimously agreed the goal should stand, contending there was no clear and obvious evidence the ball had made contact with the United forward's hand. Sturridge opened the discussion by stating: "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 clashed with Sturridge earlier in the programme, also concurred with the former Liverpool forward, commenting: "I'm a bit old school. I don't think you want those goals getting cancelled."
Cody Gakpo of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford on May 03, 2026 in Manchester, England
Liverpool started incredibly slowly (Image: 2026 Getty Images)
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Sturridge then responded, "There's a touch, though. There's a slight touch," before Keane concluded the exchange by declaring: "There is, but they've had a look at it (and decided it's a goal)."
Liverpool wasted no time in responding to their underwhelming first half, bursting out of the blocks in the second period. Dominik Szoboszlai found the net just two minutes after the restart.
Nine minutes later, the Reds pounced on a wayward pass from United goalkeeper Senne Lamens, with Alexis Mac Allister intercepting the ball and feeding Szoboszlai, who teed up Gakpo to tap home from close range. But United scored a winner through Kobbie Mainoo as they sealed their place in the Champions League.
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