Jamie Carragher hit out at Liverpool’s “unbelievable” and “absolutely shocking” defending of their 4-2 win over Bournemouth – saying they won’t retain their Premier League title in the event that they proceed with these requirements.
Liverpool gained on an emotional evening at Anfield due to late objectives from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah – however they got an actual scare by the Cherries as Antoine Semenyo’s quickfire double cancelled out objectives both aspect of half-time by Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo.
Each of Semenyo’s objectives noticed Liverpool caught out on the transition – with Bournemouth’s second objective seeing the younger ahead run practically the size of the pitch earlier than discovering the underside nook.
Carragher additionally hit out at Ibrahima Konate, who he felt was answerable for poor defending for each objectives.
“It is unbelievable,” mentioned Carragher on Friday Evening Soccer after the sport. “It is implausible from Semenyo – however Liverpool have had this drawback.
“What number of gamers have been forward of the ball – possibly eight gamers – after they have been profitable 2-1? That may’t occur. It is completely stunning at this degree.
“For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is incredible – but where Konate is going? He had a really, really poor night tonight at centre-back.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Antoine Semenyo’s solo strike introduced Bournemouth degree at Anfield
Carragher added that Liverpool’s defending has been poor throughout their pre-season marketing campaign. There have been comparable objectives conceded within the 4-2 defeat in opposition to AC Milan, whereas in addition they conceded twice in opposition to Athletic Membership and Crystal Palace within the Neighborhood Protect.
The Sky Sports activities pundit was additionally vital of Liverpool’s defending at Wembley – and prompt on Friday evening that it’s too simple for groups to chop by Arne Slot’s aspect.
“That is not right. It’s not,” mentioned Carragher. “It’s only game on top of the Community Shield – but I’ve watched enough football in my life. This idea that everyone bombs forward, it’s not for me. I don’t like it.
“At no time final week within the Neighborhood Protect did I ever really feel Liverpool have been in command of the sport. You’ll be able to draw 2-2 with Palace, that may occur. Nevertheless it’s how simple Crystal Palace might get at Liverpool, how simple it was tonight.
“In the first half, Bournemouth should have been at least 2-0 up at one stage.”
So do Liverpool now want a centre-back?
Liverpool’s poor defending comes alongside the membership’s pursuit of a centre-back in the course of the closing weeks of the window.
The Reds secured the £26m signing of Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni on Friday – however they’ve additionally been strongly linked with a transfer for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi.
Parma’s Giovanni Leoni has joined Liverpool
There may be additionally Konate’s scenario – with the French worldwide coming into the ultimate yr of his Liverpool contract – amid rumours linking the defender to Actual Madrid subsequent season.
However Carragher believes that any new defender wouldn’t repair Liverpool’s general drawback of being too simple to assault in opposition to.
“There is definitely a problem that Arne Slot has to solve,” Carragher mentioned.
“People say they need a centre-back – a centre-back doesn’t fix that. He just takes Konate’s place.
“It is in regards to the make-up of the workforce with two attacking full-backs and a No 10 who’s extra fascinated by getting on the ball than defending like [Dominik] Szoboszlai was final season.
“If Liverpool continue like that, I don’t think they will win the league.”
Slot responds to ‘nervous’ Carra
Slot responded to Carragher’s remark, saying Liverpool are extra susceptible on the counter-attack because of the absence of Ryan Gravenberch, with Alexis Mac Allister additionally missing sharpness in midfield.
“I do talk about a player who was not available last week and not this week. That’s Ryan Gravenberch,” mentioned Slot. “Last season, he was very, very important in these moments.
“So with Alexis Mac Allister solely being again two or three weeks in pre-season, we misplaced somewhat little bit of that management in our midfield. However Ryan will probably be again subsequent week and Macca will probably be fitter. And we’ll discover a stability in taking dangers as a result of in opposition to Palace, we misplaced two or three easy balls to counter-attacks.”
And responding to Carragher’s comments about Liverpool throwing too many bodies forward, Slot said he has no plans to change his philosophy.
“That is additionally who we have been and who we’re – and that is why we see such a pleasant recreation if you happen to watch Liverpool,” said the Reds boss. “We aren’t going to a low block to defend.”
Carragher replied: “That worries me somewhat, you saying that is the workforce that we’re, with our bodies going ahead.”
“You are allowed to say this,” said the Liverpool head coach. “However then you have to help a workforce that performs 11 gamers in their very own field. I want to see [what Liverpool did against Bournemouth].
“But I prefer even more to not see ourselves counter-attacked – that I agree on. But I like that our players like to play football – last season we were a joy to watch. Paris Saint-Germain do similar things to this.”
