In football, it’s a given that controversy will inevitably follow Richard Keys’ opinions. This is the case once more this week, as the senior anchor for beIN SPORTS delivered his assessment of Liverpool after their 2-0 loss to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday afternoon. In their efforts to prevent the Magpies from taking home their first trophy in seven decades, the Reds appeared sluggish.
Despite controlling the possession statistics, Eddie Howe’s squad was in control of the game thanks to goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak either side of halftime. However, Liverpool’s effort lacked any real edge. Federico Chiesa, a late substitute, set up a nerve-wracking finish in the 94th minute with a low shot into the bottom right corner, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome of the game.
The squad is still in the lead for the Premier League title under a new manager in their first season after Jurgen Klopp, which gives the Liverpool supporters hope for the future. However, Keys has adopted a much more pessimistic view, claiming that the ten-time League Cup champions have just been lucky this year.
Richard Keys’ Controversial Liverpool Opinion
He claims Arne Slot is no longer finding English football easy
Keys, 67, was ready to offer his opinion of Liverpool following their only loss at Wembley Stadium since the 2015–16 campaign. On X (see the post below), he wrote:
“Throughout the season, I was unaware of how excellent this Liverpool team was. We learnt a lot this week. They are mediocre. They are at the top for two reasons: they got off to a fantastic start, and all of their rivals fell behind. Slot has learnt that playing English football isn’t as simple as it seems.
I’ve had no idea all season how good this Liverpool team were. This week told us a lot. They’re average. They’re top for 2 reasons – they had a great start & because every other challenger went backwards. Slot has discovered English football isn’t so easy after all
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) March 16, 2025
Keys Faces Backlash For Liverpool Criticism
The outspoken presenter has been made to eat his words by Reds’ supporters
Rival critics have been quick to minimise Liverpool’s success this season after a frustrating week in which the Reds were also eliminated from the Champions League by heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Paris Saint-Germain. However, Keys was promptly corrected by the Anfield supporters in the post’s comment section.
“One league defeat all season … how is that average?” One X user enquired, while another reminded the vocal journalist: “I’d expect a schoolchild to make that argument.” Ordinary? We dropped four games in all competitions and one league game this season. Although we are far from flawless, our lack of squad investment and rotation has now caught up with us. Simply state your distaste for Liverpool and continue. Another added as well:
“There, you contradicted yourself. “English football isn’t easy,” said every other competitor. Therefore, even though this league isn’t easy, we’re either at the top because everyone else is garbage or at the top because of that.”
I’ve had no idea all season how good this Liverpool team were. This week told us a lot. They’re average. They’re top for 2 reasons – they had a great start & because every other challenger went backwards. Slot has discovered English football isn’t so easy after all
— Richard Keys (@richardajkeys) March 16, 2025
A fourth person said: “Whoa. What a take. forgets completely that they have defeated almost every team in the area and are ahead by 12 points. Several weeks ago, we weren’t saying this. You jump on their back after one incredibly mediocre performance. One fifth came to the conclusion, “Your anti-Liverpool agenda knows no bounds.”
“Whoa. What a take. forgets completely that they have defeated almost every team in the area and are ahead by 12 points. Several weeks ago, we weren’t saying this. You jump on their back after one incredibly mediocre performance. There are no limits to your anti-Liverpool agenda.
The next game for Arne Slot’s team is a Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2. With a victory over their city rivals, the Reds will only need to win four more of their eight league games to claim their second Premier League crown in five years and their record-tying 20th league title.
