Former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol. Picture: ESPN/ YouTubeplaceholder image
Former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol. Picture: ESPN/ YouTube | Former Liverpool full-back Steve Nicol. Picture: ESPN/ YouTube
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Steve Nicol has claimed that one Liverpool player has ‘escaped criticism’ during the dire run of form.
The Reds’ 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest was their sixth Premier League loss in seven matches. Having been favourites to retain the title at the start of the campaign, pressure has now mounted on Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.
The Reds suffered their heaviest defeat at Anfield for almost five years as they were put to the sword by a Forest side that started the game in 19th place. Liverpool started the opening 30 minutes on top before the visitors scored from their first goal from a corner through Murillo.
Slot’s side barely responded after that, with Forest doubling their advantage inside 60 seconds of the second half through Nicolo Savona and Morgan Gibbs-White putting the gloss on the triumph.
Plenty of Liverpool players have faced scrutiny given the drop off in form. The likes of Ibrahima Konate, Mo Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Milos Kerkez have faced flak for their performance levels. But Nicol believes that Ryan Gravenberch - who was the midfield linchpin last season when the Premier League title was lifted - hasn’t been doing enough.
Speaking on ESPN, the former Reds full-back said: “There is one guy who has escaped criticism so far... Gravenberch. This is a guy who, no question after Salah and maybe Van Dijk, was maybe Liverpool's best player last year. He was in the right place at the right time, made decisions, started attacks. His main job is to be that block in front of the back four, orders the other two around, let them go forward when they can and he fills in behind and covers the holes. He has done none of that this year. I know he missed a couple of games but he absolutely has done none of that. Gravenberch is another one who, as fantastic as he was last year, has completely disappeared again.
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