♦ Roy Keane slammed Erling Haaland for his reaction to his substitution vs Wolves
♦ The pair have been involved in a bitter war of words in recent weeks
Roy Keane has slammed Erling Haaland for his reaction to his substitution against Wolves at the weekend before delivering a menacing stare to Sky Sports presenter David Jones ahead of Liverpool’s 4-2 victory against Tottenham.
The Norway international bagged four goals, including a first half hat-trick, before being taken off in the second half. Haaland looked furious sitting on the bench, with Pep Guardiola keen to rest him as Man City close in on the Premier League title.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Keane has reignited a war of words between himself and Haaland as he said: ‘We saw Haland yesterday being brought off, not too happy, [he was] behaving like a spoiled brat.
‘I think when you have the spat as well with the manager and obviously your Star Man, it doesn’t help that results aren’t going your way. But because they win the game, he scores goals, it’s almost forgotten about.’
Roy Keane gave a menacing stare to Sky Sports presenter David Jones during a live broadcast
Erling Haaland scored a first half hat-trick before netting a fourth after half-time vs Wolves
Jones subsequently asked Keane: ‘Spoiled brat? That’s alright if you score four goals isn’t it?’
But Keane was not enthused by the presenter’s comments, responding flatly: ‘No, no. No it’s not.’
An awkward moment of silence subsequently descended in the Sky Sports studio, with the ex-Manchester United captain delivering the stern glare towards the programme’s host.
Jones subsequently broke the silence with a sheepish response, saying: ‘Alright… I might pick up on that later on.’
‘No problem,’ Keane replied, with co-pundit Daniel Sturridge breaking out in a fit of laughter.
Both though saw the funny side of Keane’s comments, with Jones turning to continue the broadcast while laughing, as Keane gave off a wry smile and seemed to chuckle at the awkward moment.
Keane’s previously described the Norwegian’s general play as that of a League Two striker, which led to Haaland responding following their win over Wolves.
‘The levels of his general play is so poor, and not just today, I think his general laying stuff off, headers, or whatever it might be in terms of front of goal is best in the world,’ he had previously stated on Sky Sports’ post-match coverage.
‘But for his general play for such a player, it is so poor, not just today, I think he has to improve that he’s almost like a League Two player.’
Danield Sturridge (second from left) broked down in a fit of laughter following the incident
He was furious when Pep Guardiola decided to take him off in the second half
Keane slammed Haaland for his reaction to his substitution calling him a ‘spoilt brat’
Keane then revisited his comments after Haaland scored on his return from injury against Nottingham Forest last week.
The former Manchester United midfielder joked: ‘He was very much like a Championship player, he has improved a lot. In terms of a goal scorer he is absolutely amazing, there’s no doubting his quality in terms of his finishing.
Haaland’s response was short and to the point as he admitted: ‘I don’t really care that much about that man, so that’s all right.’
The former Manchester United midfielder joked: ‘He was very much like a Championship player, he has improved a lot. In terms of a goal scorer he is absolutely amazing, there’s no doubting his quality in terms of his finishing.’
His latest comments have now reignited the war of words between the pair, with it sure to be awkward the next time Haaland is interviewed by Sky Sports with Keane in the studio.