Roy Keane singles out three Man City players for criticism after Rodri injury as title prediction made

Roy Keane singled out Kyle Walker and two other Manchester City players for criticism after he suggested that the Premier League title race has "swayed" in Liverpool’s favour.

For their exceedingly high standards, it has been a disastrous start to the 2024/25 campaign for reigning Premier League champions City, who are going through an uncharacteristic run of form.

The Citizens fell to a fourth straight defeat in all competitions on Saturday as Brighton completed a late comeback to seal all three points.

It was a result that meant Liverpool increased their lead at the Premier League summit to five points. City, meanwhile, sit second with 23 points from a possible 33.

City, of course, have been plagued with injuries of late and Pep Guardiola is confident City will hit top form again when the likes of John Stones, Ruben Dias and Jack Grealish return.

But somebody who isn't so sure is Roy Keane, who has given his take on the title race between Liverpool and Manchester City.

Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, brought to you Sky Bet, Keane brought up Rodri's injury and how "certain players" have failed to step up in his absence.

“I’ve never written off Manchester City over the past four or five years – even when Arsenal have been brilliant," Keane began. "I backed City all day. The circumstances are different now, though – Liverpool are doing well off the back off finishing third last year on 82 points.

“Liverpool haven’t come from anywhere, where you can say they’ll be out of steam by Christmas, but you look at where City are – the injury to Rodri changed it. The worry at City, you look at certain players – Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, and Kyle Walker off it – that sways it to Liverpool.”

Keane added: “Jürgen Klopp deserves praise for the group of players he left behind for this manager [Arne Slot] to take over. It does seem with Liverpool that it’s all a bit more controlled. When they’re winning games, they look in control.

“Like every team, if they miss a couple of players, of course they will struggle.”

Image credit: Getty

Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, is of the belief that Liverpool have the best 22-man squad in the Premier League.

“The big thing with Liverpool is that they didn’t buy anyone last summer. They were top of the league last year with six games to go, and they lost at home to Crystal Palace on the same day that Arsenal lost to Aston Villa," he said.

"The injuries Liverpool had last season were off the scale – remember the Carabao Cup final, where the kids were coming on – and there was constant change. But because of the way the new guy [Arne Slot] trains, it's not as end-to-end, and less players are getting injured.

“I would say Manchester City have the best team, the best 18 – but Liverpool have the best 22. They have five forwards who probably all think they should play and have got decent backup in positions. In terms of not bringing anyone in, it hasn’t mattered because they haven’t had many injuries.

“Arsenal are talking now about injuries – but they haven’t had many in two or three years. It’s always been about right or nine of their starting XI playing every single game.”