Roy Keane has called outLiverpoolfor showing a lack of ‘class’ by fielding fringe players ever since they won the Premier League title.
Arne Slot‘s Reds claimed the top-flight trophy after beating Tottenham 5-1 at the end of April and have since played three league matches against Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton.
For those games, a number of fringe players were called upon to start as Slot opted to shuffle the pack and give his first-team regulars some well-earned rest.
However, the Dutchman’s decision has drawn the ire of former Man United captain Keane who suggested that the Reds have shown a lack of ‘class’ by doing so.
Speaking on The Stick to Football Podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Keane said: ‘Liverpool have switched off – they’re irritating me.
‘It doesn’t matter [that they’ve won the league], but the fringe players and the B team are coming in – what kind of message is that?
Roy Keane has ripped into Liverpool and Arne Slot for showing a lack of ‘class’ in recent games
Slot has named weakened sides ever since his side won their historic 20th league title
A number of fringe players have been called upon to lead from the front for the Reds
‘I’m thinking come on – show a bit of class. Salah scores a goal and he’s taking pictures – the game’s still on. Liven up a little bit!’.
When Salah scored during Liverpool’s 5-1 rout over Tottenham, Egyptian marksman Salah whipped out a phone and produced a ‘selfie’ celebration with fans.
The forward – despite being within touching distance of breaking the league’s record for most goal contributions in a single campaign – has not scored since.
Weighing in on Keane’s comments, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said: ‘I’ve always felt that with fringe players – and it’s not a criticism – I’ve always felt that every great team has five or six players who, if one of those players is missing you feel it.
‘Let’s go with Liverpool – if the goalie [Alisson] was missing, you’d feel it. [Virgil] Van Dijk, [Alexis] Mac Allister, [Mo] Salah – the rest around them are all good players, but they can’t cope on their own, they need the good players.
‘You’ve seen Liverpool’s centre-backs last night [against Brighton] without van Dijk. That’s not a criticism – you go through every great team, there’s not 11 world class players in a team.
‘There’s normally five or six, and the other five or six are hanging on to their coattails’.
Liverpool took their relaxing to the next level recently after left back Kostas Tsimikas was seen enjoying a Chinese food order just 24 hours before their trip to Brighton.
Keane also took aim at Salah for his ‘selfie’ celebration during Liverpool’s win over Tottenham
Since that match, Salah has failed to provide a goal or assist in Liverpool’s three outings
The likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have watched from the bench
Uploaded on TikTok, Tsimikas is filmed paying and collecting a Chinese food order reportedly from Peacock Inn Chinese Restaurant in Ormskirk, Lancashire.
The Liverpool defender was videoed by Everton supporters, who were enjoying a meal themselves, and they duly gave the Greek some light-hearted stick.
It’s the latest act of celebratory indulgence from Slot’s squad after some high-profile celebrations already.
After the 2-2 draw with Arsenal, many of the Reds squad travelled to Dubai.
One video circulating on social media showed several members of the first team strolling around the lavish Atlantis The Royal hotel last Tuesday.
Their temporary abode boasts of being ‘the most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world’ and it’s eye-watering prices would certainly bolster this claim.
The ninth-best hotel in the world, according to Theworlds50best.com, will set you back £6,996 for a ‘Skyscape Penthouse’ at short notice. The 196 square-foot split-level penthouse includes a massive terrace with an infinity pool, jacuzzi and views of the Arabian Sea.
More expensive rooms are available, such as the £25,092 ‘Panoramic Penthouse’, but for those in search of the ‘budget’ option, look no further than the modest ‘Royal Club King’ – which comes in at ‘just’ £840-per-night.
Kostas Tsimikas was videoed collecting a Chinese food order on Sunday by Everton supporters
One video circulating on social media showed several members of the first team strolling around the lavish Atlantis The Royal hotel in Dubai last Tuesday
The Reds stars have also been seen taking in the glorious views on the high seas, with social media videos showing the group enjoying life on a massive yacht
The Reds stars were also been seen taking in the glorious views on the high seas, with social media videos showing the group enjoying life on a massive yacht.
In the footage, the likes of Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, goalkeeper Alisson Becker as well as Tsimikas, Joe Gomez and Diogo Jota can be seen feasting around a mammoth table with a panoply of delicacies.
While the Reds roster are enjoying their time in Dubai, manager Slot has been seen living it up in Ibiza.
Papped by the likes of Eastenders legend Dean Gaffney, Slot was welcomed to O Beach with Queen’s ‘We are the Champions’ playing, while a group of women held up cards that read ‘Champions!’
After being patted on the back as he made his way to a DJ booth as a VIP, Slot put on the shades and appeared to think about trying his luck on the decks with the 1970s song continuing to play.
Slot didn’t appear eager to sing along, but was all smiles as he looked around and embraced with others involved at the party.
Other social media footage saw Slot posing for photos, and the Reds boss being called into the DJ booth as a VIP as the women arrived with their ‘Champions!’ cards.
At the end of the song, there was a loud cheer as ‘Freed From Desire’ began to play – a song Liverpool have often sung when they have won trophies in recent times.