‘Jittery’ - Richard Keys makes Liverpool claim amid blunt Man Utd ‘real deal’ comparison

Richard Keys surveyed Liverpool’s start to the new season and declared: they look the real deal again.

The Reds endured a difficult 2022-23 campaign which saw them surrender a spot in the Champions League. That promoted a significant squad overhaul during the summer transfer window, with seniors players Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain departing. Meanwhile, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch were all signed.

Jurgen Klopp’s men have taken 16 points from their opening 2023-24 Premier League fixtures, with the most recent a 3-1 victory over West Ham United at Anfield.

And former Sky Sports presenter Keys has claimed that second-placed Liverpool looks substantially better than Manchester United, who are already seven points behind in ninth spot. Writing on his blog, Keys said: “Liverpool (II) look like the real deal again. Klopp’s rebuild has been a resounding success and from a position where last seasons table told us they way were way behind United they’re now back on their perch - way ahead of them, proving that you don’t always need time - you simply need to know what you’re doing.

“How jittery were United at Turf Moor? One moment of sublime class sunk Burnley, who tossed away a gilt edged chance to get their first win. They were anaemic. Poor. And, as I predicted pre-season, they’re going down unless something changes. They’re far too ‘nice’ to play against. All I heard from our world feed commentators was ‘they play the right way’. ‘They’re good to watch’. Really? No. They play the wrong way.

“Does the ‘right way’ mean weaving pretty patterns sideways and backwards - mustering just two shots at goal all night and not forcing the opposition keeper to make any save of note? Does it mean giving away a corner inside 47 seconds because you’ve been caught trying to be clever?”