Roy says title race is on

But then he is the manager of Sunderland now and as detached from the title race as many other Premier League bosses.

You've got to hand it to him: Keane was impressed by Liverpool

And he will remain so. On Saturday, he returns for the first time with his team to Old Trafford but the warm homecoming is the least of his concerns.

He knows his team's shortcomings, as well as his own, could be cruelly exposed by a potentially ruthless United.

Keane has made a welcome return to the Premier League, not least for offering his honest assessment on any subject which takes his fancy.

As a United captain who lifted three league titles, he is better qualified than most to analyse Rafa Benitez's expensive and exciting squad.

"We are stronger. As a squad we are better. We are more attacking, because we have more options. Voronin is a great option for us, Torres will get fitter and has so much potential. Kuyt and Crouch are fresh for the next important games.

"It is not important who plays. If we want to win we have to change them."

Benitez said the broken rib suffered by Carragher, who was furious he was not replaced earlier and will miss tomorrow's game against Toulouse, could force him into one last transfer move before Friday's deadline.

Keane, on the other hand, seems intent on adding even more players to the 16 he has signed.

Peter Crouch, rumoured to be unsettled, is exactly the sort of target Sunderland have had in their sights all summer, only for his club and the player himself to turn down their advances.

Game over: Voronin blasts home Liverpool's second at Sunderland

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy is a more realistic target and Keane is hoping to have talks with him this week.

Kenwyne Jones and Danny Higginbotham are also close to sealing moves to Wearside in deals worth £5.5million and £2.6m, if Keane can persuade Danny Collins and Stern John to move in the opposite direction.

Keane clearly believes he can get the balance right. One of the features of his incredible promotion charge was the way he integrated new signings with players he inherited, making accurate assessments of those who were up to his challenge.

Like the outstanding Paul McShane, who headed anything that moved despite the 10 stitches in his head, and impressive keeper Gordon.

SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Gordon 9, Halford 4, Nosworthy 7, McShane 8, Wallace 7; Miller 6, Etuhu 6, Yorke 6 (Leadbitter 61min, 6), Richardson 4 (Stokes 20, 7); Murphy 6 (Connolly 78), Chopra 5. Booked: Etuhu.

LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina 6; Finnan 7, Hyypia 5 (Agger 15, 6), Carragher 7 (Riise 75, 6), Arbeloa 6; Pennant 6, Sissoko 7, Alonso 7, Babel 6 (Kuyt 89); Voronin 8, Torres 7. Booked: Arbeloa.

Man of the match: Craig Gordon.

Referee: Mark Halsey.