Liverpool's infamous 'Spice Boys' get unlikely defender in Roy Keane

Liverpool's players from the 1990s, dubbed the 'Spice Boys', have got an unlikely defender in ex-Manchester United captain Roy Keane.

A play on the Spice Girls band, the 'Spice Boys' nickname was given to the Reds' contingent by the media in the mid-90s as result of their (supposed) style over substance.

The likes of Robbie Fowler, Jamie Redknapp, David James, Steve McManaman and Jason McAteer were most commonly described with the moniker, while the tag is regularly associated with the 1996 FA Cup final when Liverpool, infamously, came out wearing cream-coloured Armani suits ahead of kick-off.

It's a moment that has gone down in English football history, with the suits continuing to generate discussion long after Liverpool lost the final 1-0 to Manchester United.

Though undoubtedly talented, the 'Spice Boys' generation ultimately underachieved, with Liverpool winning just one FA Cup and one League Cup during the whole of the 90s — the decade in which United, by contrast, ascended to dominance.

While there is little new left to be said about the link between cream suits and Liverpool's shortcomings from 30 years ago, the 'Spice Boys' have found an improbable ally in the form of ex-United star Keane who has called the term 'unfair'.

While discussing the rise of football documentaries on Stick to Football, Gary Neville asked his co-hosts Keane and Jamie Carragher: "Why have the Liverpool players that were in that 'Spice Boys' team not done a 'Spice Boys' documentary?

"They were quite a talented group. I'm not taking the piss here."

Keane, who started the 1996 FA Cup final, responded: "I think you're being a being a bit harsh on them. I think it's unfair that, I really do.

"I know that [it's just a nickname] but it's still not nice."

Neville then joked: "All the names I've been called over the years and I've never heard you say you feel sorry for me!"

To which Keane quipped: "Well they were true."

In a recent interview with the Telegraph, Robbie Fowler revealed how the 'Spice Boys' term took hold as a result of the group's failure to deliver success on the field.

The legendary former striker said: "I liken it to the movie The Life of Brian.

"They are all stood around the cross talking about names and say 'Brian’s a good one'. People thought – we will throw that [at us]: the ‘Spice Boys’. And it stuck.

"The Spice Boy thing was a nickname and the fact that we never won anything played a big part in it.

"Stories have grown arms and legs and I have tried to get rid of that."