"It was totally wrong. It was a bad example to children"
Kevin Kilbane believes Kepa Arrizabalaga's conduct towards Maurizio Sarri is symbolic of what's wrong with modern football.
The Chelsea goalkeeper. Kepa, refused to be subbed off, despite his manager's clear order. And those antics overshadowed the Blues' performance in the Carabao Cup final.
Sarri was understandably furious on the sideline and sub goalkeeper Willy Caballero was in an unenviable position.
Kepa was unable to prevent his side falling just short against Manchester City on penalties.
But both manager and player tried to play down the issue post-match.
Both claimed it was a "misunderstanding" in the aftermath.
Speaking on Off The Ball though, Kevin was scathing of Kepa's behaviour.
"It was totally wrong. It was a bad example to children and to lads coming into the game that this sort of thing is acceptable," he said.
"This is what stinks!"
"Particularly on that big stage like that. He's made an absolute fool of his manager. And where does Maurizio Sarri go from here though? The pressure that he was under anyway and his team had put in a brilliant performance. But this is what stinks about modern day football. It was wrong on every level and I can't even give [Kepa] an excuse. I can't and it was poor."
Kevin also analysed Sunday's Premier League clash between Manchester United and Liverpool. He reckons Liverpool have missed a crucial opportunity.
Injuries and substitutions in the first half disturbed the rhythm of the game for both teams. Indeed, Man United made all three of their substitutions in that first period.
But Liverpool, who also lost Roberto Firmino to injury, were unable to capitalise.
"When you reflect across that 90 minutes and how the game went yesterday, Liverpool dropped points," he said.
Kevin also feels Liverpool have not been as instinctive in attack in recent weeks.
"It's less instinctive and there's less of a flow around their attacks in the final third," he said.
"I also think there's less movement off the ball."
