Keane: 'Liverpool's defense is like a pub team'

Former football legend Roy Keane criticized Liverpool's defensive performance in their 1-3 defeat to Arsenal in the 23rd round of the Premier League on February 4th.

"Liverpool's defense is like a pub team," Keane compared Liverpool to a team anyone who comes to drink can join. "I can't believe they're so bad in terms of intensity from start to finish, regardless of whether they have the ball or not."

Keane also argued that captain Virgil Van Dijk was at fault for all three of Liverpool's conceded goals. He acknowledged that the Dutch defender had the right to play a poor game, but warned that conceding three goals in a big match could hurt Liverpool at the end of the season.

Van Dijk (right) and Alisson (center) gifted Arsenal their second goal in Liverpool's 1-3 defeat in the 23rd round of the Premier League on February 4th at the Emirates Stadium. Photo: AP

In Liverpool's third goal conceded, Van Dijk was standing near Leandro Trossard, but did not attempt to limit the opponent's scoring opportunity. Keane argued that the Liverpool captain should have acted to prevent the goal, which dashed the team's hopes of earning any points.

"Trossard may not believe in his luck," Keane added. "He was almost reluctant to shoot."

Meanwhile, Van Dijk took responsibility for the second goal conceded, a consequence of a misunderstanding between him and goalkeeper Alisson Becker. The Liverpool captain admitted he should have taken the initiative to clear the ball instead of letting Alisson pass. He promised to return and not make the same mistake again.

Van Dijk also expressed his remorse to the fans: "I am heartbroken to see the fans and the club disappointed. It's terrible to make mistakes. I will work hard and come back."

In the match on the evening of February 4th, Van Dijk failed to keep up with a counter-attack that led to Arsenal's opening goal in the 14th minute. After Kai Havertz comfortably broke free and shot, the ball deflected off Alisson, Bukayo Saka scored the rebound to put the home team ahead. Liverpool equalized thanks to an own goal by Gabriel in the 45+3 minute, but they couldn't maintain the balance for long. In the 67th minute, they gifted a second goal to their opponents. Van Dijk didn't clear the ball early but instead passed it to Alisson who was rushing out, but the Liverpool goalkeeper also failed to react decisively. As a result, the ball fell to Gabriel Martinelli, who comfortably shot into the empty net to make the score 2-1 for Arsenal.

Liverpool were reduced to 10 men from the 88th minute after center-back Ibrahima Konate was sent off. Four minutes later, they paid the price and conceded a third goal. After breaking down the left wing, Trossard comfortably slotted the ball through Alisson's legs.

Following their win against Liverpool, Arsenal moved up to second place in the Premier League with 49 points. Liverpool still lead with 51 points after 23 matches, but are only five points ahead of Man City and have played two more games.

Thanh Quy (according to BT Sport, ESPN )

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