Roy Keane has criticized Chelsea captain Reece James for not sprinting back and trying to deter Luis Diaz for Liverpool's opener and says he must lead by example.
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The west Londoners fell from just 18 minutes into Sunday's 1-1 draw when Mohamed Salah stormed down the right wing before slicing inside and playing a great pass for Diaz to put him in goal.
Salah thought he had doubled the lead soon after, but VAR ruled the lead out for offside before Axel Disasi equalized and Ben Chilwell canceled his own shot for a minor offside.
Manchester United legend Keane was far from impressed by James' performance ahead of Liverpool's opener and feels he gave up too quickly rather than bouncing back after losing to the Colombian.
He spoke to Sky Sports afterwards: “It's brilliant, a really good game from Liverpool but James can actually see him running!” And James still doesn't sprint back! That's the point I don't understand.
“We talk tactics and systems, but James is watching.” [Luis Diaz] runs away from him. Maybe afterwards he'll argue, “Well, I'm a full-back and that's not my job,” but he sees him running and still doesn't see it [track it]. You have to sprint back like your life depends on it!
“I do not get it. As brilliant as James is – I absolutely love him and think he's a brilliant player, especially in attack – but when you see someone chasing you, you sprint. you sprint! No excuses.'
When colleague Daniel Sturridge suggested he wasn't coming back anyway, Keane hit back: “If you don't think he's coming back, he might as well stop and have a cup of tea!”
“You have to sprint back because you never know what might happen.” He could take a bad touch.
“James is the captain. James is meant to lead by example, so people seeing this will be like, ‘Will I? Right?' You sprint back.'
Micah Richards actually felt in large part responsible for the goal at Levi Colwill that allowed Salah to reach inside and wasn't sure the system was fully working in the first half.
“Colwill is here in this position because they're playing three at the back, he doesn't know whether to stay or go,” Richards said.
“Yes James should be on the lane but Salah is left-footed, he needs to show it wide, get it on the right foot.” We know Salah is dangerous on his left foot. It's just that communication in the first half that Chelsea couldn't understand, but as the game progressed they settled into it and gained confidence.”
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