Only Roy will know just what he meant
Last Sunday in the Sky Sports studios, Roy Keane said: “Liverpool have been bad Champions”.
That raised eyebrows and some people criticised him for the comment.
Me? I’d need him to elaborate, and be absolutely clear on what he meant.
Perhaps he is disappointed in Liverpool’s defence of the title. Or maybe not. Only he knows.
He also stated there has been “too many excuses” from inside Anfield this season.
Well, Roy is entitled to his opinion and that’s why he’s a pundit.
He has been dogged on a number of issues in the past 12 months, including those surrounding his former club, Manchester United.
But I don’t agree with that assessment about “making excuses”.
Liverpool have given reasons for why things have not gone to plan this season, such as losing three central defenders to
injury and, as a consequence, having to use central midfielders in the heart of the defence.
Let’s be absolutely clear – there is a massive difference between an excuse and a reason.
Liverpool have never complained. They have tried their best in every game, but they have had a wee bad patch in recent times.
Players are maybe not as relaxed just now as they have been in the past, such as when they are in a situation of whether to shoot or lay it off.
The slightest delay in the decisionmaking usually kills off both options.
So there is a wee bit of hesitancy just now, and the natural flow we have seen is missing.
But everyone at Liverpool knows what’s going on, and know they will get things moving in the right direction again.
It’s also important to give credit to Manchester City.
They’ve been on an excellent run in the past few months and nobody should overlook that or undermine it.