In a scathing critique, Roy Keane didn't hold back in slamming Reece James for his defensive lapse during Liverpool's lightning-fast counter-attack that led to Luis Diaz's opening goal at Stamford Bridge.
On the opening weekend of the Premier League season, Liverpool visited Stamford Bridge in a bid to come away with a win, though the points were shared as the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool wasted no time in capitalising on their attacking prowess, with Mo Salah's expertly threaded through ball finding Diaz's path.
The injury-prone winger, who had a difficult last season on the sidelines, coolly slotted the ball past Chelsea's goalkeeper, Robert Sanchez, in one swift motion.
With new boss Mauricio Pochettino recently appointed, the Blues's summer signings Nicolas Jackson and Axel Disasi made their league debuts, along with ex-Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez.
Luis Diaz opened the scoring for the visitors, and Keane took the opportunity to criticise Reece James' defensive mistake in failing to prevent the early goal.
A cross from Mo Salah and a run in from behind James allowed Colombian Diaz to poke the ball into the back of the net for the Reds, firing them ahead.
After the match, Keane spoke about James' performance: 'James is looking at him running off him.
'He'll argue afterwards saying, 'Oh, I'm a wing-back and that's not my job.
'But he sees him running and you have to sprint back like your life depends on it.
'I don't get it as brilliant as James is – listen I love him to bits think he's a brilliant player particularly going forward – but when you see someone running off the back of you, you sprint. You sprint. No excuses.'
Keane added: 'He might as well stop and have a cup of tea.
'You've got to sprit back because you never know what might happen. He might take a bad touch.'
Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker, Daniel Sturridge, chimed in, emphasising Diaz's attacking instincts. 'I think it's that awareness too,'
'As an attacker in that moment, you always think to yourself, first, you've got to get there and you want to make that run before the defender. So as soon as he turns around and looks over his shoulder, you're already gone.'
It was Premier League debutant Axel Disasi who levelled the scoreboard for the Blues, impressing on his first appearance.
Despite James' defensive lapse, the Blues showed a notably more promising display in comparison to last season.
After an already expensive summer transfer window, they are hopeful to land Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo with a bid in excess of £110million.