Roy Keane certainly got a rise out of Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp when the Manchester United legend described the Reds’ defending as “sloppy” back four years ago

Roy Keane has never been one to shy away from saying exactly what he thinks, whether that be on the pitch during his Manchester United days or in the studio as a pundit.

However, that doesn’t mean the Irishman is free of consequences.

Though Keane is a famed hardman who boasts an intimidating aura, not everyone is afraid of giving it back.

Just ask Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who was certainly aggrieved by one of the United legend’s one-word digs aimed at the German’s Reds side back in 2020.

Speaking in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over Arsenal, Keane claimed that Klopp’s team were “sloppy” in places despite the win. The Reds boss issued a passionate response, having heard what the Sky Sports pundit had said just before his post-match media.

“Did I hear right, Mr Keane said we had a sloppy performance tonight? I could hear you already, did he say that?,” Klopp questioned. “This was a sloppy performance tonight? I’m not sure if I heard it right. He may be talking about another game because it cannot be this game. Sorry.

“That’s an incredible description of this game, this was absolutely exceptional. Nothing was slopy. Absolutely nothing. From the first second dominant against a team in form, 100 per cent in form. You have to be careful like hell and not get hit by the counter attacks.

“I think 60/70 per cent of all the balls in behind were offside, you just wait a little bit longer for the flag meanwhile, so that’s why it feels not great but it was offside.

“Ali [Alisson Becker] had to make one save, there were two balls in behind, you can’t avoid that, you need a goal in these situations. Apart from that, the football we played was absolutely exceptional tonight. So it doesn’t help for any other game. Not for Thursday, not for Sunday. Not for nothing.”

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Jurgen Klopp launched an impassioned defence of his Liverpool team (
Image:
SkySports)
At the time of Keane’s assessment, Liverpool’s defence was not at its most resolute. Days before the game against the Gunners, Klopp’s side shipped three goals at home against now-Championship outfit Leeds United.

Keane did get the chance to reply to Klopp’s passionate disagreement with his analysis, telling the Liverpool manager: “I think you must have misheard me.

“I said there were sloppy moments but I think you have been outstanding, I have been giving the club nothing but praise. So I’m not sure you heard me correctly there.”