‘Deserved to win’ – Roy Keane was impressed by one thing from Liverpool in ugly Turf Moor triumph
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane offered contrasting views on Liverpool’s 2025/26 Premier League match against Burnley at Turf Moor. Carragher praised Liverpool for their resilience, tactical discipline, solid defensive structure, and effective pressing under manager Arne Slot. He highlighted the team's adaptation to Burnley’s physical style and praised key players for controlling midfield, helping Liverpool dominate possession and generate chances.
In contrast, Roy Keane criticized Liverpool's performance for lacking urgency and intensity during some phases of the game. Keane raised concerns about Liverpool’s failure to consistently convert scoring opportunities, warning this could be problematic against stronger opponents. He also pointed out moments of complacency and questioned their focus during critical moments, suggesting deeper issues remain as Liverpool seeks to defend their Premier League title.
Both pundits agreed on one key decision: Keane applauded Slot's substitution of Milos Kerkez after 38 minutes, following a yellow card for simulation and a subsequent foul. Keane saw this as a proactive and ruthless move to avoid the risk of Kerkez receiving a second yellow and a red card, particularly given Burnley’s threat on the counterattack.
The match also marked the debut of Liverpool’s new 'Sea Green' third kit by Adidas, symbolizing a fresh chapter for the club both on and off the pitch. Despite stylistic disagreements between pundits, the Reds secured a crucial victory that underlined their collective strengths while revealing areas needing improvement.
Burnley, having struggled in their early fixtures against strong opponents, posed a physical challenge but ultimately Liverpool, with tactical adjustments and key individual contributions, were able to prevail 2-0 (Carragher’s predicted scoreline) or 3-0 (Keane’s prediction), maintaining their position near the top of the table early in the season.
PP