Jamie Carragher was hugely critical of Liverpool’s display against Bournemouth, arguing they ‘can’t win the league’ if their current set-up doesn’t change.
The Reds opened their Premier League campaign with a 4-2 victory over the Cherries, but it was far from plain sailing.
After heartfelt tributes were paid to the late Diogo Jota before kick-off, Arne Slot’s side started strongly before breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute as Hugo Ekitike rifled home his first league goal in English football.
Then, when Cody Gakpo doubled his side’s lead shortly after the break, many of those in the stands at Anfield no-doubt assumed the three points were in the bag.
But Antoine Semenyo – who shockingly reported being racially abused by a supporter in the first half – managed to get the Cherries back in the game almost single-handedly, bagging two to level the scoring.
With the momentum in their favour, it seemed as though Andine Iraola’s side may go on to score a winner until Federico Chiesa fired home his first Premier League goal off the bench to make it 3-2. An emotional Mo Salah later confirmed the three points with a strike on his right foot into the bottom corner.
Liverpool got their Premier League campaign off to a winning start with a 4-2 victory over Bournemouth
Mo Salah sealed the three points with a right-footed strike at the death to give the Reds a 2-0 lead
But speaking on Sky Sports, Jamie Carragher was critical of Liverpool’s defensive display
But speaking on Sky Sports post-match, pundit Jamie Carragher was far from glowing about Liverpool’s performance, describing their defending as ‘absolutely shocking’.
He was referencing Antoine Semenyo’s equaliser in particular, which saw the powerful winger dribble from just outside his own box almost unopposed before sending a low effort past Allison in the Liverpool goal.
‘Eight players ahead of the ball, that can’t happen, it’s absolutely shocking at this level,’ the pundit said.
‘Liverpool supporters in the stadium were delighted, but that goal is not right. This idea that everyone bombs forward, it’s not for me. I don’t like it.
‘At no time last week in the Community Shield did I think Liverpool had control of the game, or tonight.
‘A centre-half doesn’t fix that, he just takes take’s Konate’s place. It’s about the makeup of the team.
‘I think if Liverpool continue like that, they don’t win the league.’
Earlier in the night, Carragher, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, pinpointed Konate for his ‘shocking’ performance at the back.
Antoine Semenyo dribbled almost the length of the pitch before firing home the eqauliser
Carragher was particularly critical of Ibrahima Konate, dubbing his performance ‘absolutely shocking’
In the build up to Semenyo’s second goal, Konate was almost in no man’s land as his opponent drove towards the Liverpool box before equalising.
Reacting to the goal, the scouse pundit questioned: ‘What is Konate doing?
‘Oh my God. He’s been absolutely shocking tonight, Konate.’
The Frenchman has indeed been linked with a move away from Liverpool this transfer window, with Real Madrid thought to be one of the club’s interested as his contract nears its end next summer.
The Merseyside giants are yet to bring in a centre-half despite spending north of £300m on Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni.
And it seems as though Arne Slot isn’t done adding to his squad just yet, with Liverpool reportedly in talks with both Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi and Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak over moves.
While Guehi is believed to have agreed personal terms with the Reds, they had an initial approach for Isak worth an estimated £110m turned down.
With three or so weeks still to go of the transfer window, it’s likely Liverpool supporters will have another shiny new toy to get excited about before the window comes to a close – though whether that will be Guehi or Isak, or both, remains to be seen.
