Following Liverpool’s 3-2 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday night, former Manchester United midfielder-turned-pundit Roy Keane has slammed the ‘classless’ Reds for their behaviour since they were crowned winners of the 2024/25 Premier League title.
Arne Slot, becoming the fifth manager in Premier League history to do so, won the title in his maiden season in England. Even more impressively, the Dutch tactician – who has made the post-Jurgen Klopp transition look seamless – secured gold with four games left to play.
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Taking their respective careers into account and how many major trophies they've won, Ruben Amorim is above Arne Slot.
Having surpassed expectations since replacing Klopp in the summer, Slot has opted for an experimental approach for his remaining Premier League games of the season – against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton by swapping personnel freely, and that has irked Keane.
Keane Fumes at Liverpool’s Post-Title Approach
‘ I'm thinking come on – show a bit of class’
Essentially, the title-winning Reds were handed four dead rubber fixtures after beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 and winning the title prematurely. Up next, to conclude proceedings, is a home encounter against this season’s FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
In recent outings, Slot and his entourage have decided to give a number of players on the periphery the chance to impress ahead of an all-important summer, all while giving some of his key men time to rest and recover after a brilliant campaign.
There have been some repercussions, however, as Liverpool are winless in their last three meetings in the Premier League. They lost 3-1 to Chelsea, drew 2-2 with Arsenal after taking a two-goal lead and, as alluded to, lost 3-2 to Brighton most recently.
In the eyes of Keane, who is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in Premier League history, Liverpool are in the wrong to have taken their foot off the gas – and that’s coming from a serial winner, who won seven titles within a 12-year period.
“Liverpool have switched off – they're irritating me,” the 67-cap Ireland international said on the latest Stick to Football Podcast alongside Gary Neville, Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher.
“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?"
On the fact that Liverpool have eased off after being confirmed champions of England’s top flight in late April, Keane continued: “I'm thinking come on – show a bit of class. Salah scores a goal and he's taking pictures – the game's still on. Liven up a little bit!”
Keane was referring to the moment when Mohamed Salah scored in Liverpool’s 5-1 drubbing over Spurs. In celebration, their chief goal-getter whipped out a phone to take a selfie with the match-going Anfield faithful, who were celebrating their status as champions of England.
As mentioned, Liverpool (who are now level with Manchester United on 20 English top flight titles) play host to Oliver Glasner’s side, who are riding a crest of a wave after beating Manchester City at Wembley – evidenced by their 4-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers – on the final day of the Premier League season.