Roy Keane Bemoans Liverpool’s ‘Crisis’ as Arne Slot Faces Tough Questions
Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad has triggered fierce criticism, with Roy Keane branding the Reds “weak” and declaring it “crisis time” under Arne Slot. The former Manchester United captain’s blunt assessment came after another flat performance that has left Liverpool’s early-season momentum in tatters.
Keane’s Brutal Take on Liverpool’s Decline
Keane, speaking on Sky Sports, pulled no punches after witnessing Slot’s side crumble under City’s pressure. “I think it’s crisis time for Liverpool,” he said. “It’s okay to lose to a top side like City – that happens – but seven defeats in ten games? For a club of Liverpool’s stature, that’s a crisis. They looked really weak today.”
The Irishman criticised both the players’ mentality and the team’s lack of physicality, suggesting the energy and aggression that once defined Liverpool’s play under Jürgen Klopp has faded. “City were stronger, sharper, and more physical,” Keane continued. “Slot’s assessment of the game was spot on, but there was a lack of intensity and decision-making all over the pitch. The substitutions didn’t help either – they looked soft.”
Liverpool’s attacking output reflected that damning analysis. The Reds recorded an expected goals (xG) figure of just 0.71, managing only one shot on target from seven attempts. Despite creating two big chances, their inability to sustain pressure or convert key moments cost them dearly once again.
Slot’s Search for Solutions
Slot, who took charge in the summer with high expectations, admitted his side fell well short of the required standard but refused to question his players’ commitment. “City away is always a difficult game, and today they were simply better,” he told Sky Sports. “We tried to respond in the second half, and I liked that we didn’t give up at 3-0 down. But of course, that’s not enough at this level.”
The Dutchman highlighted fine margins, referring to Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed goal that could have levelled the score before City’s second. “You never know what might have happened at 1-1,” he said. “But overall, they were superior. We know we need to improve — I didn’t need this game to tell me that.”
Mounting Pressure on Slot
Liverpool’s recent slump has been stark. Once seen as title contenders, they have now lost five of their opening eleven Premier League matches, slipping to eighth in the table. With six wins and five losses, Slot’s men sit four points behind second-placed City and eight behind leaders Arsenal.
The defeat to City marks their seventh in ten games across all competitions, a run that underlines the instability creeping into Slot’s tenure. Injuries and inconsistency in midfield have contributed, but Keane’s comments reflect a broader concern: Liverpool’s famed mentality seems to have eroded.
What Comes Next for Liverpool?
Slot’s tactical philosophy, based on fluid attacking patterns and pressing, has shown flashes of promise but also vulnerability against elite opposition. The upcoming fixtures — including crucial games against Aston Villa and Tottenham — may determine whether Liverpool can recover or if the pressure on Slot will intensify further.
For now, Keane’s warning rings loudly: a club of Liverpool’s history cannot afford to drift. The challenge for Arne Slot is not just to fix the tactics, but to reignite the belief and aggression that once made Liverpool feared across Europe.
