Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher questioned the character of his former club’s players after Richarlison’s 90th-minute equaliser secured Tottenham a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sunday
Jamie Carragher questioned the mettle of Liverpool’s players and explained why he thinks Arne Slot’s team have become so straightforward to play against.
Jeers echoed around Anfield at the final whistle after Richarlison’s 90th-minute leveller secured Tottenham Hotspur’s embattled interim boss Igor Tudor a vital point.
Liverpool went into the clash at Anfield having witnessed both Chelsea and Aston Villa stumble in the race to secure Champions League football next season. And despite the Reds being sluggish from the off, they took the lead through Dominik Szoboszlai’s superb free-kick after just 18 minutes.
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But Arne Slot’s team were lifeless to say the least in the second period and after Richarlison justifiably brought Spurs level, the Reds were eventually forced to accept a draw, reports the Liverpool Echo.
And Carragher, speaking immediately after the final whistle sounded, not only insisted that a managerial switch would not turn around his former club’s fortunes but also reckons that Liverpool’s players lack the ability to roll up their sleeves and make life tough for their opponents.
He said: “It was an awful performance. No disrespect to Tottenham, but they are the worst team in the Premier League now, probably for the last couple of months.
“They are exactly who you want to play, playing at home, the incentive of your results this weekend, and to put in a performance like that. But it’s been like that all season.
“And the big question on everybody’s lips is that down to the manager or the makeup of the squad? Could a new manager completely revitalise these type of players and bring that energy and sort of intensity back into this team? I’m not sure.
“I think a lot of it goes back to what happened in the summer, the profile of the players that came in, and there’s just too many players who just want to play when the ball’s at their feet.
“They don’t want to dig in and make it difficult. That’s why it’s so easy to play against this Liverpool team.”
Following Richarlison’s equaliser, Carragher stated: “Well it was coming. I’ve been saying all second-half, Liverpool have been sleepwalking into this result.
“And it was always going to be him, he’s looked the most dangerous Tottenham player. And Liverpool just don’t challenge for the long ball.
“Andy Robertson doesn’t challenge for the long hopeful ball. Does the jump, gets in-between, not sure where Van Dijk’s going – doesn’t react quickly enough and then Liverpool are all over the place.
“But I can’t say Tottenham don’t deserve it, they’ve had chances in the game. The majority fell to this man, but this was definitely their best one.
“Van Dijk is furious, but this has been coming…so obvious. As I said, you can’t say they don’t deserve it.”