Liam Gallagher has branded his Manchester City mad brother Noel the Kevin Keegan of rock.

Noel quit Oasis after a backstage bust-up in Paris earlier this year, but Liam has likened his brother's premature walkout to that of former City manager Keegan.

Liam, 37, told the Evening Standard: "You don't have 18 years of giving it all this, and then wash your hands of it and start going out with Russell Brand, and all these new pals. I think he's done a Keegan."

Keegan quit as Manchester City manager in 2005 after four years in charge. In that time he got the club promoted to the Premier League, qualified for the UEFA cup and signed French striker Nicolas Anelka and ex-Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel.

However, he walked out on the club hinting at his retirement from the game and leaving many City fans feeling he had left a job half-completed.

The comparison is unlikely to inspire a fraternal reconciliation from football fan Noel, who has reportedly not spoken to his brother since the incident at the Rock en Seine festival in August.

Liam said of the row: "It wasn't a big thing for me. I've had bigger arguments with me toenails, you know what I mean?

"I think he just wanted out. He'd had enough of this lad thing and wanted something new, and it's not having a dig at him, but I just think he's sort of turned himself into a f****** fake."

Liam and fellow Oasis band members are planning to record a new studio album after Christmas - their first record without Noel's influence.

The singer also unveiled his new men's clothing line Pretty Green at London's Selfridges department store this week.