Qudus SalihuIn a blistering live broadcast that has sent shockwaves through the Stadium of Light, Roy Keane has ruthlessly called out Sunderland’s record signing Habib Diarra following a demoralizing 1-0 defeat to Liverpool. The legendary pundit, never one to hold back, was left incensed by a performance he described as “lazy” and “unprofessional,” eventually telling manager Regis Le Bris that the Senegalese midfielder “shouldn’t play again” for the club.
The match, which saw Liverpool end Sunderland’s unbeaten home record via a Virgil van Dijk header, turned on a decisive moment in the 61st minute when Diarra inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance on the goal line. While the own goal was a technical error, Keane’s fury was directed at Diarra’s overall lack of urgency throughout the contest. Speaking live on air, Keane’s dismantling of the midfielder’s performance became an instant viral sensation.
”I’m fed up with the excuses,” Keane barked during the post-match analysis. “You’ve spent over £30 million on this lad, he’s supposedly the big star, and he’s jogging around like he’s in the park. No heart, no tackle. Then for the goal, he’s just standing there. If I’m Regis Le Bris, I’m looking at that and saying, ‘You’re finished.’ You don’t bring that kind of attitude into a Premier League game against Liverpool. It’s an absolute insult to the fans.”
The critique focused on Diarra’s perceived lack of desire to track back, a trait Keane famously values above all else. He argued that despite Diarra’s “world-class” potential and status as the club’s most expensive ever player, his display was a “cancer” to the team’s defensive discipline. As the clip continues to trend on social media, the Sunderland faithful are divided over whether Keane is being too harsh on the 22-year-old or if the “hard truths” are exactly what is needed to maintain their push for a top-half finish.
Rabiu Aminu
Qudus Salihu
Mustapha Sheidu