MANCHESTER, England — Roy Keane has never been one to mince his words, and after Liverpool’s latest setback, the Manchester United legend believes the Reds are officially out of the Premier League title race — and slipping into crisis.

Liverpool’s humbling 3–0 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday marked their fifth league loss in just 11 matches, leaving them eighth in the table and eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal. Despite only a third of the season gone, Keane insists the reigning champions are no longer contenders.

“At this moment in time, you can’t be considering Liverpool for the Premier League title,” Keane said during Sky Sports’ post-match coverage. “That’s five losses now. I think it’s crisis time for Liverpool. To lose seven in ten with five league defeats — that’s a crisis for a team like Liverpool.”

Defensive Chaos and a Leadership Void

Keane, a seven-time Premier League champion with Manchester United, didn’t hold back in his assessment of Liverpool’s structural failings under Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp this past summer.

“Defensively they are all over the place,” he said. “The full-backs are a huge problem, the centre-half [Ibrahima Konaté] looks a nervous wreck. You watch players dangling their legs — it’s not what champions do. Put your body on the line. If you’re not at it as a team, get the basics right: stop crosses, make yourself hard to play against.”

Keane’s comments echoed a growing frustration among supporters, who have watched Liverpool unravel after a blistering start to their title defense.

The Reds’ summer spending spree — over £240 million on Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz — was meant to keep them at the summit. Instead, the duo have yet to hit their stride, while defensive lapses and inconsistent performances have plagued the side.

Wirtz Under Fire as Slot Faces Questions

Liverpool’s record signing Florian Wirtz, brought in from Bayer Leverkusen for £100 million, has particularly come under scrutiny. Though the 22-year-old shone in the midweek Champions League win over Real Madrid, he struggled again at the Etihad — prompting criticism from former Manchester City defender Micah Richards.

“Today we didn’t see Wirtz again, and that becomes a problem for the manager,” Richards said. “If you’re bought for that amount of money, you’re expected to show up in big games. Regardless of what league you came from, that’s what the fee demands.”

Slot’s handling of his marquee signings — particularly his decision to leave Isak on the bench against City — has raised eyebrows. The Swedish striker, a £125 million arrival from Newcastle United, was an unused substitute as Liverpool struggled to create chances.

From Title Favorites to Turmoil

Liverpool’s 2025–26 campaign began with genuine optimism. Slot’s side won their first seven matches across all competitions, including a statement 1–0 win over Arsenal. Their high press looked revitalized, and the new signings seemed to fit seamlessly.

But a shock 2–1 defeat at Crystal Palace in September triggered a slide that hasn’t stopped. Successive losses to Galatasaray, Chelsea, and Manchester United followed, exposing a fragile defense and a midfield still adjusting to life after Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.

A 5–1 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt briefly lifted spirits, but defeats to Brentford and a second loss to Crystal Palace dragged Liverpool back into trouble. Wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid offered fleeting hope, only for Erling Haaland, Nico González, and Jeremy Doku to dismantle them at the Etihad.

The result leaves Liverpool closer to mid-table obscurity than a title challenge, and with fan frustration mounting, questions are already swirling about Slot’s tactical approach and player selections.

Keane: “How Badly Do They Want It?”

Keane concluded his analysis with a damning indictment of Liverpool’s mentality.

“It comes down to hunger,” he said. “How badly do they want it? Right now, I don’t see that fire. They look like a team going through the motions, and that’s not what Liverpool is supposed to be.”

A Crisis Point for Slot

With 27 games still to play, the situation is not mathematically dire, but for a club that set the standard under Klopp, the tone has changed dramatically. Slot’s Reds have conceded 18 goals in their last nine league games, and with the fixture list tightening — including an upcoming run against Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle — the margin for error is gone.

The Dutch manager has called for patience and perspective, reminding fans that transitions take time. But at Anfield, patience is a luxury rarely afforded to champions in decline.

Liverpool’s next fixture, a must-win home match against Brentford, may not define their season — but it could define whether Slot’s project retains belief within a restless fanbase.