Phil Thompson was thoroughly impressed by how Everton defender Michael Keane performed against Liverpool last Saturday.
The Toffees drew 0-0 with the Reds at Goodison Park, and there was one element of the 26-year-old’s display that particularly impressed him, and that was his tackle to deny Mo Salah giving Liverpool the lead – something which he describes as “top class”.
The Sky Sports pundit says that Keane now needs to maintain this high standard in order to be involved in the England set-up once again.
“Everton’s just come out of a really difficult time and the players had to try and get the fans back on side. It’s been a really difficult time, and he’s had his struggles, he now looks like he is coming out of it,” he said on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday [2.26pm, 9/3].
“The tackle when Mo Salah is going through is absolutely top class. If he gets that wrong, that is a goal. I thought it was absolutely terrific. He’s another one where, dare I say it, who could, who needs to keep up that level of performance to get back into the England fold, he’s been that good. It was an absolutely terrific display from him.”
OPINION
Michael Keane has enjoyed a bit of a mixed season this time around, but it looks like he has turned it around slightly with his performance against Liverpool. This is the one thing that Thompson has been rather impressed by, and for good reason. Playing against the likes of the Reds have forced him to step up his game, and he now looks like a transformed player because of it. Fingers crossed that he can maintain it though, as Marco Silva needs him to be fit for the season run-in. Everton cannot afford any more slip ups after a large number of them this season, so Keane must ensure that he does not make any of his previous mistakes. He has the potential to be a great player and there is no reason why he cannot make it into the England fold if he puts the effort in now and shows that he is worthy.