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14th Sep 2017

Liverpool fans may want to steer clear of Roy Keane’s assessment of their Champions League chances

Scathing

Darragh Murphy

Roy Keane’s not banking on a repeat of 2005.

The former Manchester United midfielder has given Liverpool absolutely no chance of lifting the Champions League trophy this season.

Keane was on punditry duty on Wednesday night for Liverpool’s return to the group stages of European football’s top competition and it was after the Reds’ home draw to Sevilla when he delivered his withering opinion on Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Merseysiders enjoyed a 2-1 lead at half-time when goals from Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah settled the nerves after conceding an early opener to the La Liga outfit.

But Sevilla scored with 20 minutes remaining and Joe Gomez was sent off at the very death, forcing the hosts to settle for a point.

And while Keane believes that Liverpool might make it out of the group, which also includes Spartak Moscow and Maribor, he reckons they will be caught out at the knockout stage.

“This sums up Liverpool in a nutshell, why they are not going to win anything,” the Republic of Ireland assistant manager said on ITV.

“From a throw-in, just switching off, in an important game at an important moment.

“It must drive the manager crazy as that is schoolboy defending.

“Liverpool do all the hard stuff really well in terms of creating chances, pace, power and a bit of quality going forward, but the easiest part of football is being switched on defensively and Liverpool don’t seem to be able to do it.

“Win the Premier League or Champions League? Liverpool? Forget about it.

“I think they have enough to get through the group, but in the later stages against Real Madrid and all these boys, they will be laughing at Liverpool.”