Roy Keane makes Liverpool ‘average’ assessment as he slams one Chelsea player
Roy Keane thinks Liverpool and Chelsea looked like “two fairly average teams” in the second half of their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The hosts endured a difficult start against Jurgen Klopp’s side and deservedly fell behind to a breakaway goal by Luis Diaz after 18 minutes, guided into the bottom corner from Mohamed Salah’s fine pass.
They were saved from going further behind when VAR intervened to rule out Salah’s strike for offside as Liverpool dominated for much of the first half.
But Chelsea, who have now agreed a fee for Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, slowly eased their way back and were level when defender Axel Disasi, making his first start, stole in to touch home from Ben Chilwell’s header eight minutes before the break.
VAR was called upon again to disallow Chilwell’s goal two minutes later, but thereafter Pochettino’s side settled and were a ready threat to Liverpool’s back line, with debutant striker Nicolas Jackson spurning the best chance when he fired over the bar from six yards.
When asked who will be the happier of the two teams, Keane said on Sky Sports: “I think Chelsea will be, especially after the poorer start that they had. I think Liverpool weren’t particularly good and they both looked like two fairly average teams in the second half.
“I think Pochettino will be happy though with his new signings, but the first half I enjoyed, the second half I thought overall was quite poor.”
Keane was disappointed by the defending from Reece James for the Liverpool opener with the England international allowing Diaz to get a clear run on goal.
The Manchester United legend continued: “I mean, James doesn’t sprint back there.
“That’s why I’m talking about it, James can actually see him running and he doesn’t track back. We’re always talking about systems, but James might say ‘Well I’m a wing-back and that’s not my job’, but you have to sprint back and not let him get through.
“Look, I love James, I think he’s a brilliant player going forward but when you see someone running off the back of you, there’s no excuses. No excuses.
“No, no. He might as well stop and have a cup of tea! Look at the space! James is the captain, he’s supposed to be leading by example. Look at him thinking, ‘Will I? Won’t I?’ Start sprinting back, man.”
