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Liverpool vs Man City: Roy Keane hails key Reds trio after Champions League victory
LIVERPOOL’s midfield trio were the key reason for their comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Manchester City in their Champions League quarter-final first leg last night according to Roy Keane.
Roy Keane praises Liverpool's 'outstanding' performance
With Emre Can injured, James Milner came into the middle to join captain Jordan Henderson and the thriving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
After Mohamed Salah opened the scoring early on with his 38th goal of the season, Milner’s eighth European assist of the season teed up Oxlade-Chamberlain for a stunning 20-yard pile-driver.
Sadio Mane added a third little after the half-hour mark as the Reds ran out deserving winners at Anfield for the second time this season against City.
And Keane reserved particular praise for those in Liverpool’s engine room for their vigour and discipline as Jurgen Klopp’s men put themselves gave themselves command of the tie at its half-way stage.
Keane was impressed by Liverpool's midfield three of Henderson, Milner and Oxlade-Chamberlain
Roy Keane analysed Liverpool's win for ITV Sport
Roy Keane on ITV Sport's Champions League highlights show
Milner, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain gave them that foundation to go on and win the game
“Great team performance, they obviously had a great start,” Keane said on ITV Sport’s Champions League round-up programme.
“We’ve seen it previously, Liverpool have the players that can hurt Man City, particularly on the counter attack. And they got heavily punished for it tonight.
“Liverpool, from a team performance, were outstanding. I thought the three players in midfield were outstanding as well.
“Milner, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain gave them that foundation to go on and win the game.
“I bet Liverpool can’t believe their luck to be 3-0 up. It’ll be a tough second leg but they’ll still fancy themselves to get an away goal and then the tie will be over.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a goal of similar standard when Liverpool last played host to City back in January as they contested a 4-3 top-flight thriller.
On the goalscorer, who is continuing to thrive under Klopp after joining from Arsenal in the summer, Keane added: “There’s always been question marks over his end product.
“He’s scored a few goals recently and he’s at that age now, 24, where he needs to be a lot more consistent with his performances.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrates making it 2-0 to Liverpool
Jordan Henderson misses the second leg after picking up a late yellow card
James Milner snaps into a tackle with City's Kyle Walker
Former Manchester United man Keane was disappointed by City’s display but felt Liverpool deserved praise for the manner in which they thwarted the Premier League champions elect’s star-studded attack.
The visitors did not manage a single shot on target for the first time in a match since October 2016.
“It’s easy to keep your energy levels up when you’re at home and you’re 3-0 up,” Keane said of Liverpool’s second-half resilience.
“That keeps you going, you know you’re in the game. They were shuffling across, filling gaps in.
“I think City - for what we’ve seen all season - showed a real lack of quality. But again, give credit to Liverpool for that.”
City can win the Premier League against rivals United this Saturday (5.30pm) while Liverpool have a derby of their own earlier in the day (12.30pm) against Everton, before they go head-to-head in their second leg next Tuesday (7.45pm).
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