Liverpool news: Roy Keane makes DAMNING Roma accusation after Champions League first leg
ROMA’s players gave up after an hour of their Champions League semi-final first-leg defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday night and should be ashamed of themselves.
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That’s according to former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane.
The Italian side were expected to pose a stern test to Liverpool after coming from behind to knock out Barcelona in the previous round, but conceded five goals in 68 minutes at Anfield.
Ex-Roma winger Mohamed Salah scored his 42nd and 43rd goals of the season against his former club, who refused to change their usual defensive high-line in spite of the Reds’ attacking threat.
Eusebio Di Francesco’s side scored two late goals through Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti to offer themselves hope of another second-leg three-goal turnaround, having beaten Barca 3-0 at home after a 4-1 away defeat.
But Keane says the manner in which Roma were blown away by Jurgen Klopp’s men was so humiliating that he would consider ending his career if he were them.
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They downed tools and I think if I played like some of those defenders did last night, I’d consider retiring. I really would.
“They just gave up, certainly after about an hour,” the brazen 46-year-old said on ITV’s Champions League highlights show.
“They downed tools and I think if I played like some of those defenders did last night, I’d consider retiring. I really would.
“It was shameful. They scored two goals which covered the cracks a little bit.
“We can slag Roma off but you still have to take advantage of that and Liverpool did. They punished them and rightly so.”
Roma’s two late goals mean their chances of reaching the final remain alive, albeit slim.
But Keane thinks that, with Liverpool’s front-line in mind, the Serie A giants are all but out already.
“I can’t see it on the performance last night,” Keane replied when asked if Roma could repeat their Barca heroics.
“Obviously Roma will no doubt be better at home. But Liverpool just tore them to shreds and could have scored 10.
“It was pretty straight forward tactics really, get the ball forward quickly and let the attackers do the rest.
“[They’ll be] Disappointed with a couple of goals they conceded towards the end but I can’t see it [Roma coming back].
“I thought Liverpool were outstanding. Intensity, pace, quality and to me, there’s no way back for Roma.”
The two clubs go head-to-head in the second leg in the capital of Italy next Wednesday (7.45pm).