LAST UPDATE | 5 Feb
ROY KEANE COMPARED Liverpool’s defending in their 3-1 loss to Arsenal to that of a “pub team” and believes neither side will beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.
Bukayo Saka’s opener was cancelled out by an own goal from Gabriel on the stroke of half-time, but Gabriel Martinelli capitalised on a calamitous mix-up between Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk to make it 2-1 before Leandro Trossard added a late third for the hosts.
The result saw Arsenal close the gap on leaders Liverpool to just two points, with Manchester City five points off top spot with two games in hand.
“In terms of the intensity from the first whistle to the last from Liverpool, in possession and without, I can’t believe how bad they were,” former Manchester United captain and Sky Sports analyst Keane said.
“Again, credit to Arsenal, they turned up and were at it, but Liverpool defensively, the goals they gave away, like a pub team defending.
“Having watched the game live today, I know that Liverpool have had an off day and Arsenal are still nice on the eye, but I still couldn’t see these two teams finishing ahead of Man City. I just can’t.
“Obviously I’ve been proved wrong before, but you look where City are, with (Kevin) De Bruyne coming back, (Erling) Haaland’s available, I don’t see them two teams going right till the end.
“I think in terms of keeping up with Man City, I just can’t see it.”
Meanwhile, Martin Odegaard has hit back at critics who claimed Arsenal over celebrated their victory – insisting they will remain “humble” throughout their Premier League title challenge.
Odegaard led the celebrations, taking the camera off the club’s photographer to snap the jubilant reactions to a result that put Mikel Arteta’s men right back into title contention.
By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being disciplined! #ARSLIV
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 4, 2024
pic.twitter.com/ujYOBZoMWK
Sky Sports pundit and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was unhappy with what he saw.
“Just get down the tunnel. You’ve won a game, three points, you’ve been brilliant. Back in the title race, get down the tunnel. I’m serious, honestly,” he said – before later adding on X, formerly known as Twitter: “By all means enjoy it, but enjoy it by being disciplined!”
Carragher also changed his X profile picture to one of Odegaard using the camera, but the Arsenal captain was not about to apologise for his post-match celebrations.
Asked if it is possible to over celebrate after such a big win, the Norway international replied: “No, I think everyone who loves football, who understands football, they know how much it means to win this game.
“And if you’re not allowed to celebrate when you win a game, when are you allowed to celebrate? We’re happy with the win and we’ll stay humble.
“We keep working hard and we prepare for the next one but of course you have to be happy when you win.
“It was a massive game. As you say it could have been eight points (if we’d lost) and it would look a lot more difficult then but we showed up, the fans were unbelievable.
“I think we all did this together. You see the club, how together we are, all the players, staff, supporters, everything. So yeah, brilliant to see.”
- Updated with Martin Odegaard story.
