Liverpool moved 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win over Manchester City on Sunday.
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| Roy Keane has sent Liverpool a warning over the title race (Image: Sky Sports) |
Roy Keane has issued a stark warning to Liverpool, suggesting they could become the butt of jokes if they fail to clinch the Premier League title this season.
The Reds surged 11 points clear at the summit after a resounding victory over Manchester City on Sunday, while their nearest rivals ArseDnal stumbled against West Ham the previous day, leaving their title aspirations in disarray.
Despite having a game in hand, Arsenal are now trailing markedly behind Arne Slot's team, who have just 11 fixtures remaining. Liverpool are close to securing their first championship in five years, which would also mark a triumphant inaugural season for manager Slot.
However, Keane, speaking to Sky Sports, has cautioned Liverpool not to lose their edge: "It's more exciting for the neutral when it's a bit tight but when you're in the dressing room and you're that much clear it's fantastic. You go 11 (clear) and a little bit later you want to be further ahead.
"You have to have that bit of tension in the dressing room saying if you slip up now, you'll be a laughing stock. You look at the players getting interviewed afterwards and they are probably lowkey about it but in the dressing room you know what a big result this is.
"The manager knows, the opposition will know, but you still have to kick on. You are reminding people about being complacent and being on your toes.
"You'd have good squad members and obviously the manager would do it, the senior players would do it to make sure you don't slack off in training.
"You look at some of the fixtures and you're playing Southampton at home, but you treat Southampton like you're playing Real Madrid; you treat teams with respect. If they keep carrying on doing what they're doing.
"Liverpool don't have to do anything extraordinary, just do what you're doing, be efficient. Two goals a game is a big one, it's a simple message saying if you get them, which you have been doing all season anyway, you are guaranteed to win the league."
Slot is aware that his team must maintain their focus and acknowledges the potential pitfalls in Liverpool's pursuit of the title. He remarked: "In every other league, I think a lead like this would be very comfortable.
"Except for this one because in this league every single game gives you a lot of challenges, even Plymouth Argyle gave us a lot of challenges. If you play away at the Etihad, if you win there it is always a big win, no matter what the league table looks like.
"The fans can sing whatever they want, I think they've sung it for quite long already, but we know as a team how hard we have to work for every single win.
"It was only three days ago, somebody asked me if we'd had a dip on Wednesday. I don't believe that as well as I am calm now about this win."
This article originally appeared on the Mirror
- JACOB LEEKS, CHARLIE PARKER-TURNER
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