Roy Keane hints two stars will cost Arsenal the title; savages Liverpool favourite who should know better

Roy Keane could hardly believe what he saw from a Liverpool veteran on Sunday, and hinted at two Arsenal stars who could cost them the title.

Sunday’s clash between Arsenal and Liverpool always had the feel of a match that could define each team’s seasons. A win for Liverpool would have gone some way to clearing the cobwebs from a slow start.

However, the Reds conceded first for the 10th match in their last 12, this time inside 60 seconds.

They twice fought back to level the scores but ultimately fell to a 3-2 defeat. Rubbing salt into the wounds were the injuries sustained to Luis Diaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool are still awaiting the scan results of TAA’s ankle injury. The diagnosis on Diaz arrived on Monday night and the Colombian will be out of action until after the World Cup.

From Arsenal’s perspective, a win against Liverpool would clear a sizeable mental hurdle. Liverpool had beaten Arsenal in each of the last four league meetings between the clubs by an aggregate scoreline of 12-1.

Martinelli’s quickfire opener and a Bukayo Saka brace helped end the hoodoo. What’s more, the win put Arsenal back atop the league and let Man City know they’re in for a fight.

Attention quickly turned to the showpiece occasion on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football.

Roy Keane joined Jamie Carragher in the studio and has left in disbelief at what he saw from Liverpool favourite Thiago Alcantara.

The Spanish midfielder was at fault for the decisive goal when clipping Gabriel Jesus’ boot inside the area. A penalty was awarded and Saka made no mistake from the spot.

However, Keane took aim at Thiago for his lack of positional awareness in Arsenal’s other goals too.

“It’s actually hard to believe what you’re watching”

“It’s tough… but he makes contact [with Jesus],” said Keane. “You know you’re in trouble.

“Thiago… I think even for the first two goals, poor. A midfielder’s reaction there [for the Jesus penalty], not great.

“It’s no good having all that experience if you’re not going to use it.

“Some of the decision making for all the goals [Liverpool conceded], so poor.

“It’s actually hard to believe what you’re watching. Really, really bad position play from such experienced players.”

Arsenal pair have “a mistake in them”

When asked by presenter Dave Jones if Arsenal are now Man City’s primary title rival, Keane concurred.

However, the Man Utd legend did pick out one key position which he feels could cost Arsenal when it matters most.

“At the moment, yeah, without a doubt,” said Keane.

“They’re playing with confidence. The game they lost against Man Utd recently they did quite well in the game. It was just one of those days when they were beaten on the counter attack.

“They’ve got a bit of physicality now in the team. Even the two centre-halves (William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes)… I know they’ve got a mistake in them, but there’s that physical presence.

“They’ve got good experience in midfield, young players full of energy. They’re full of talent, scoring goals, [Jamie Carragher] mentioned the atmosphere at the ground, they’ve got momentum.

“At this moment in time, they’re the biggest threat to Man City.”

Roy Keane comments fair or nonsense?

Gabriel and Saliba have formed a fine pairing this season, with the latter quickly pushing Ben White out to right-back.

Saliba has earned rave reviews for his early season showings. Indeed, Gary Neville and Carragher were in agreement last week when claiming he and Jesus are the two players who’ve taken Arsenal up a level.

Saliba has scored an own goal this season against Leicester and came close to scoring another when prodding a cross just past his own post against Liverpool.

Gabriel was at fault against Spurs last week when conceding a cheap penalty to Richarlison in the north London derby.

However, those incidents are very much the outliers to what has been extremely encouraging centre-back play from both stars.

When looking at the full body of work, Keane’s comments looks more than a touch mischievous.

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