Roy Keane and Micah Richards let rip at 'sloppy' Liverpool over 'pre-season' performance

and Micah Richards didn’t mince their words when at Craven Cottage, describing the display as "sloppy" and "pre-season-like."

side trailed 3-1 to at the break after a dismal defensive display for the Reds canceled out opener. The Reds had been hoping to extend the gap to to 14 points after the Gunners dropped points to Everton on Saturday.

Fulham were said to be Liverpool’s toughest test this month and Marco Silva's side have proved those thoughts right after a dominant first half performance against the Reds.

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Both and Keane heavily criticized Liverpool on Sky Sports at the interval Richards said: They have been very sloppy. has been worried about doing his job and that leaves him flustered. He has started so sloppily. has played that pass across when it isn't on, then the header is sloppy. Liverpool is usually so strong defensively but this has been like a pre-season game. So many errors."

Keane echoed the sentiments saying the Reds looked far from a title-challenging side. "Liverpool is playing like a mid table team, waiting for the end of the season. The body language is poor. Defensively, so bad" said the former Manchester United star.

The criticism wasn’t without merit. Liverpool lacked cohesion, their press was ineffective, and struggled to build momentum in midfield. Basic passes went astray, and the front line was largely anonymous in the first half. Fulham grew in confidence and looked the better side in spells.

Liverpool, who entered Sunday’s game with the second-best defensive record in the Premier League, faced a determined Fulham side still pushing for a European spot. Marco Silva’s men sit tenth in the table, but with just six points separating them from fifth-placed Manchester City, their hopes of securing European football remain alive.

Liverpool.com says: Liverpool's first-half display against Fulham was alarmingly flat and lacked the intensity expected from a title-chasing side. The tempo was slow, the passing was careless, and defensively they looked shaky despite entering the game with one of the league’s best records at the back. Fulham grew in confidence as Liverpool struggled to control the midfield and offered little threat going forward.

In midfield, Liverpool lacked control and urgency, with misplaced passes and poor decision-making gifting Fulham unnecessary possession. Up front, there was a worrying lack of cutting edge. The attacking trio failed to stretch the Fulham backline, while off-the-ball movement was minimal at best. Fulham, to their credit, looked well-drilled and confident, and Liverpool’s lack of pressing intensity gave them the freedom to play out from the back and create promising moments in transition.