Jamie Carragher blasts Liverpool star after PSG loss: ‘He makes a mistake every game’…

Jamie Carragher criticizes Liverpool player following PSG defeat: ‘He makes a mistake every game’

Jamie Carragher directed his criticism at multiple Liverpool players after their 2-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, including Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, and Ibrahima Konate.

Arne Slot’s team found it difficult to handle PSG at the Parc des Princes, where goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in each half secured a well-deserved victory for the Champions League champions.

Liverpool was unable to record a shot on target and managed only 26 percent possession, while Slot acknowledged post-match that his team was primarily focused on ‘surviving’ PSG’s attack in the second half.

Slot chose to implement a back five against PSG, but Carragher contends that Virgil van Dijk was hindered by a ‘poor’ display from Konate.

‘He [Slot] executed the back five strategy incorrectly, and they were actually more exposed with a back five than they would have been with a back four,’ Carragher stated to CBS Sports.

‘They went man-to-man across the field, and your three center-backs had to cover the entire width of the pitch. For Virgil van Dijk, watching him tonight in the center of a back three… typically, when you reach a certain age, being in the middle of a back three is ideal, as everyone is positioned correctly and you receive some protection. This situation was different.

‘Defenders were stepping into midfield, leaving no one to mark, and Virgil van Dijk, at 34 years old, had to run into those areas and cover ground. He was unable to manage it.

‘Criticism of Van Dijk’s performances this season has been unfair. He plays every match, while the player next to him has been dreadful all season and was poor again tonight; Konate makes a mistake every game, which makes it challenging to play alongside him. Therefore, I still believe he’s been one of Liverpool’s better players, Virgil van Dijk.

‘However, tonight in that back three, I have never seen him [Van Dijk] look so uneasy in a Liverpool shirt in my life.

I believe he will be begging Arne Slot to refrain from using that system again, as he found it extremely challenging.

However, I must also mention that it’s not solely Liverpool’s tactical errors; PSG were simply phenomenal. The highest praise I can offer them is that it resembled watching Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Carragher also expressed his disappointment with Liverpool’s three major signings – Ekitike, Wirtz, and Isak – who collectively cost £320 million last summer, asserting that this trio is not putting in enough effort when they don’t have the ball.

‘What I would say about Virgil van Dijk is that he has always been a genuine leader on the field, and he remains a true leader off the field,’ Carragher stated.

‘He faces some scrutiny from supporters when Liverpool struggles, regarding his leadership on the pitch, but that’s typical when teams are not winning; fingers are always pointed.

‘In my opinion, he has been an outstanding captain and an exceptional player for Liverpool, and he consistently steps up to speak out, which I respect because not everyone does that these days.

‘I mentioned at the beginning of the season, and my stance hasn’t changed, what you’re witnessing at Liverpool is a culmination of various issues, but you’re observing three all-time greats: the goalkeeper, Alisson, who has always dealt with injuries but is experiencing more now, he’s not the same keeper; Virgil van Dijk, as we know, isn’t quite the same, and who is at 34? Mo Salah is also in a similar position, being 33 as an attacking player.

‘I will never criticize those legendary players; they have contributed immensely to the club and have supported their teammates. This isn’t a critique of the other players because it’s akin to Thierry [Henry] at Arsenal, where you typically have four or five exceptional players who uplift the rest.

‘What you’re witnessing now is Salah and Van Dijk, who were extraordinary last season and led Liverpool to the title, but they are not the same players, and the others are not either.

“Additionally, there are new players joining the team, and I believe they have largely escaped criticism, the new signings, as we have almost excused them by saying they are still acclimating.

Ekitike performed poorly tonight, as I mentioned prior to the match, and I also include Wirtz and Isak in this assessment. To be a top attacking player for Liverpool, one must possess a certain arrogance on the ball while remaining humble off it. Currently, they lack that humility off the ball and do not contribute enough defensively, which makes it easier for opponents to face Liverpool at this moment.

As three legendary players approach the twilight of their careers, new players are stepping in without a clear understanding of what is required to succeed at Liverpool right now.

I also include Isak, who came on, Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz, all of whom need to elevate their performances significantly.

The best way to characterize Florian Wirtz at this point, given his £125 million price tag, is that he is tidy and efficient.”