‘Suck it up’ – Roy Keane lays into Liverpool in brutal verdict on Premier League champions

Roy Keane has labelled Liverpool ‘bad champions’ amid their catastrophic Premier League title defence.

The Reds won a record-equalling 20th league title last term in their first season under Arne Slot.

Getty

However, they find themselves 17 points adrift of current leaders Arsenal just nine months on from lifting the trophy.

Liverpool have already suffered seven league defeats this season ahead of their clash with Manchester City on Sunday.

Meanwhile, they are 18 points worse off than they were after 24 matches during their title-winning campaign.

At this point last term, Slot’s side had been beaten just once in the league, compared to seven already this season.

Keane defends Liverpool criticism

Keane believes the criticism of the defending champions is warranted as a result due to their drop off in performances.

The seven-time Premier League champion discussed their title defence ahead of City’s trip to Anfield.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ coverage of the match, Keane explained: “Nobody likes to be criticised.

“Mentioned the words ‘top players’, the really good players are their biggest critics anyway. You criticise yourself for your performances.

“We were praising Liverpool all last season, Liverpool were outstanding, absolutely brilliant.

“But this season, when you’re 17 points worse off than the league leaders, then you’re going to be criticised. I think you have to suck it up.

Getty

“Yes, I think there’s always a worry if it gets personal of players getting upset.

“But when you’re criticising Liverpool as a team for being open, the amount of games they’ve lost, to Bournemouth recently.

“Guess what, you’re going to get criticised because last year when you were doing really well and you’re celebrating with five or six games to go and you’re going off to Ibiza for weeks.

“You lay off the players a little bit then even if you might not like it because you’re turning up and you’re winning the league.

“But when you’re not and you’re so far off it, like they were a number of years ago, I’ve said it and I’ll say it again, they’ve been really bad champions. Really bad.

“In terms of the league, yes they’re still in Europe, in the FA Cup whatever, but their league performances are going to be criticised because they’re so far off it.

Getty

“It’s very hard to win the league, it’s harder to win it back-to-back, but when you’re so many points off the top team, you are going to be criticised.”

Prior to last weekend’s win over Newcastle United, Liverpool had failed to win any of their previous five league matches.

As a result, they are five points adrift of the top four following Manchester United‘s latest victory on Saturday.

The Reds remain in the hunt for silverware in both the Champions League and FA Cup, though.

Liverpool will return to European action next month at the last-16 stage after finishing third in the league phase.

Meanwhile, they host Brighton at Anfield in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, February 14.