Roy Keane slammed Liverpool and Manchester United’s players (Picture: Getty/Sky Sports)

Roberto Firmino has responded after Roy Keane slammed Liverpool and Manchester United’s players ahead of the Premier League showdown at Old Trafford.

The former Red Devils captain was furious after seeing the rival players embracing each other in the tunnel as they prepared to walk out on to the pitch.

He said on Sky Sports: ‘I’m disgusted with the players. You’re going to war, they’re hugging and kissing.

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‘Don’t even look at the opposition. You’re going into battle against them.


‘The game hasn’t changed that much, the players have changed. You’re going to war against these players and they’re hugging each other.



‘Chat to them after the game, or don’t even chat to them after the game.’

Firmino was one of the players who was seen greeting some of his Manchester United counterparts and embraced his Brazilian compatriots Fred and Andreas Pereira.

Asked about Keane’s criticism, the Liverpool forward told ESPN Brasil: ‘I don’t want to create controversy with anyone.

‘I find it quite normal before the game to greet each other, ask how they are doing. That’s all. Nothing more than that.

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‘But on the pitch, they aren’t friends, each one defends his club to the best of his ability. Then the rivalry increases on the pitch.’

On the pitch, Adam Lallana cancelled out Marcus Rashford’s first-half opener to earn Premier League leaders Liverpool a 1-1 draw against Manchester United.

Liverpool face Genk in the Champions League on Wednesday evening while Manchester United meet Europa League rivals Partizan the following night.