Roy Keane Gives Blunt Verdict on Chelsea as He Makes Liverpool Point

Roy Keane has claimed it will take 'some effort' if Chelsea are to get the better of Liverpool in next month's FA Cup final.

The two teams will face off at Wembley for a second time this season, having already played each other in the Carabao Cup showpiece fixture in February. Thomas Tuchel's side will be out for revenge having been on the losing side of that meeting, as well as looking to avoid a fourth FA Cup final defeat in the space of five years.

Liverpool's victory over Manchester City on Saturday afternoon has ensured their quadruple quest remains alive and there will be the chance for the Reds to clinch the final piece of silverware missing from the club's trophy cabinet since Jurgen Klopp's arrival as manager in October 2015.

There has been little to separate Chelsea and Liverpool in their three meetings this term, with each match ending as a draw. It is likely to be another close encounter on May 14 as they renew rivalries for a fourth time of the 2021/22 campaign, though Keane is expecting Liverpool to have the edge.

Providing his view on how the FA Cup final is likely to play out, the ex-Manchester United midfielder told ITV: "This is where the greatness of these managers will come in, picking the right player at the right time.

"If any team is going to beat Liverpool this season, it will have to be some effort. If you factor in the quality of the players, they look sharp, they look strong, great squad, great manager. They will take a lot of stopping."

Keane added: "They're [Chelsea] not as sharp or as strong as Liverpool." Host Mark Pougatch then asked for clarification as he said: "You don't think so?" To which a strident Keane replied: "I know so."

If the Londoners are to come out on top, Ian Wright has made clear that being wasteful in the final third will simply be out of the question for Chelsea.

"What's going to be good about the final is there will be pure quality on both sides. They [Chelsea] will recognise the chances that you have to take. Against that calibre of team, you cannot miss chances. We're still talking about what Liverpool are capable of winning, they can do whatever they want this team. It's an unbelievable football team," said the former Arsenal striker.

April 18, 2022