Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane Slam Liverpool and Tottenham: A Critical Analysis of Last Season’s Champions

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has not held back in his criticism of the team following their disappointing 1-1 draw with Tottenham on Sunday. Roy Keane shared this sentiment, critiquing the reigning Premier League champions with equal fervor.

The Reds initially took the lead in the 18th minute, courtesy of a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick. However, their advantage dissipated in dramatic fashion during second-half stoppage time when former Everton striker Richarlison netted an equalizer for Tottenham. This marked the eighth time this season that Liverpool has conceded a goal in the 90th minute or later in the league.

Prior to the Anfield clash, expectations were high for a Liverpool victory, especially given Tottenham’s struggles, which included a relegation fight and an 11-game winless streak in the Premier League.

Among those anticipating a dominant Liverpool performance was Carragher, who was left deeply frustrated by the result. He questioned the future of manager Arne Slot and the effectiveness of some of the club’s summer signings.

“It was an awful performance,” Carragher remarked during his Sky Sports co-commentary. “No disrespect to Tottenham, but they’ve been the worst team in the Premier League recently, probably for the last couple of months.”

Jamie Carragher (left) and Roy Keane were both critical of Liverpool after drawing 1-1 vs Spurs

Liverpool were expected to comfortably beat Tottenham but that wasn’t the case on Sunday

‘They are exactly who you want to play, playing at home, the incentive of your results this weekend, and to put in a performance like that. But it’s been like that all season.

‘And the big question on everybody’s lips is that down to the manager or the make-up of the squad? Could a new manager completely revitalise these types of players and bring that energy and sort of intensity back into this team? I’m not sure.

‘I think a lot of it goes back to what happened in the summer, the profile of the players that came in, and there’s just too many players who just want to play when the ball’s at their feet.

‘They don’t want to dig in and make it difficult. That’s why it’s so easy to play against this Liverpool team.’

Carragher’s strong viewpoint was matched by Keane who labelled Liverpool as ‘bad champions’ with the Reds currently 21 points behind league leaders Arsenal, although they have a game in hand. 

‘Considering they were league champions last year, and I’ve said it before, I’ve said it a number of times, Liverpool have been bad champions. They are bad champions,’ Keane scathed. 

‘They were bad champions a few years ago, they are 21 points behind Arsenal. What a drop off that is! That is so bad. 

‘I think there are issues going on in the background. I think there are bigger issues. There are details you can fix, players tucking in. But I think there is stuff going on there. I don’t think they’re all on the same page, there doesn’t seem to be that chemistry between the players. 

‘When you win big titles sometimes the challenge is the following year, can you back it up? It’s very hard to retain titles and you can drop off. [Manchester] City have dropped off recently in terms of their high standards but they’re still competing in second or third – they’re not 20 or 30 points behind the team who is winning the league. 

‘For Liverpool to be so far off it… last year they lost four games, they’ve lost eight or nine this year and I find it hard to get my head around that.’

Carragher questioned Arne Slot’s future, while Keane was critical of the Liverpool boss too

Expanding further, the former Manchester United captain believes Liverpool have lost their winning mentality – citing their exuberant celebrations last season after winning the title.

‘It’s almost that mentality – last year I criticised Liverpool towards the end when I felt they were almost partying too much,’ he continued. 

‘They were partying with four, five, six weeks to go and there were celebrations after every home game. You’re going “you’re Liverpool Football Club, are you not expected to win league titles?” Enjoy it, don’t get me wrong, but let’s back it up next year. 

‘That’s why you play for the big clubs. When I see teams win a trophy then disappear for 10 years… I’m thinking the same with Arsenal, when Arsenal win the league this year you don’t want them to disappear for the next three, four, five years, you’ve got to back it up.

‘When you’re giving up goals like that or at Wolves recently, or the game against Man City and I look at this group of players and their mentality and their workrate and what they’re doing on the training pitch… I don’t like what I see with this Liverpool group. I really don’t like it.

‘Liverpool have to defend better. The goal they gave away and Szoboszlai’s positioning as an experienced player, you can’t be on the outside looking back in. You’ve got to get back in. You’re 1-0 up. You take your 1-0 victory and move on.

‘We can see the problems. Defend better, whether it be Robertson with your headers, the two centre-halves from a kick from the goalkeeper, that’s when you’ve got to be tucked in.

‘There’s definitely something missing at Liverpool. They’re way off it. There’s definitely tension in the stadium, there’s nervousness.     

‘The players need to take responsibility – the goal they gave away was schoolboy stuff.’

Slot celebrated Liverpool’s title success last season with a trip to Ibiza, with games still to play

The draw has seen Liverpool climb up to fifth in the Premier League, above Chelsea, but they missed an opportunity to go to fourth after Manchester United beat Aston Villa earlier on Sunday.

As it is, United sit third on 54 points after 30 matches, three ahead of Villa, five above Liverpool and six clear of Chelsea.

However, Liverpool must be aware of seventh-placed Brentford too who are on 44 points but have a game in hand.