Roy Keane was impressed by Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool as the Premier League leaders beat Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
When Roy Keane says something, he means it.
And if a former Manchester United captain, not to mention the most outspoken and straight-talking man in football, is willing to admit that Liverpool played like Premier League champions during Sunday’s dramatic victory over Tottenham Hotspur, this feels like a watershed moment for Jurgen Klopp’s relentless winning-machine.
The Reds needed to show not only quality but character at Anfield. Spurs were a goal up after 47 seconds and had a goalkeeper in Paulo Gazzaniga who produced arguably the best performance of his career. Early in the second half, Heung-Min Son spurned a glorious chance to make it 2-0.
But the Premier League leaders responded like only a potentially title-winning team can. Jordan Henderson’s first Anfield goal since 2015 broke Gazzaniga’s heroic resistance at last and, thanks to the on-brand of Serge Aurier moments, Mo Salah slammed home a penalty to seal a famous comeback win.
This was hardly Liverpool’s most free-flowing performance of the Klopp era but they demonstrated something far more important. The phrase ‘hallmark of champions’ comes to mind.
“You have to keep going. No-one is going to hand you the championship. You have to earn the right, week-in and week out. Whether you play well or not,” quipped Keane, a seven-time Premier League winner with Manchester United, on Sky Sports (27 October, 4.30pm).
“They have grinded the result out today. Over the course of the 90 minutes they were the better team.
“Do you know what, I probably shouldn’t say these words, but they played like champions.”
Make a note of the time and the date. After all, it’s not often Liverpool fans are in agreement with Roy Maurice Keane.
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