Former Premier League defender Jamie Carragher has slammed Liverpool after their 1-1 draw against Sunderland. He believes that the draw feels like a step back despite the Reds going on a poor run in the buildup to the game.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Carragher praised Sunderland for their performance, while ripping into Liverpool for failing to step up and perform in the match. He said the players were poor, and it was a concern after their 2-0 win over West Ham United last weekend. He said (via Sunderland ECHO):
"Sunderland, fantastic. What an addition they’ve been to the Premier League. I mean, they’re not far off... What would they be now? Ten or 12 points away from guaranteed safety? [Dan] Ballard fantastic, along with his mates at the back. But Liverpool... It’s not even the draw, it’s the performance. Really, really worrying."
"Feels like a real step back, that tonight, in terms of what we saw against West Ham at the weekend. Didn’t look like scoring a goal, really, at any stage during the game. Didn’t come up with any real big chances. There, again, just lacking energy, zip, pace, power. Yeah, really worrying."
Liverpool are 11 points behind leaders Arsenal in the Premier League after 14 matches. They have picked up 22 points and are sitting eighth in the table after spending around £450 million in the summer to bolster their title-winning squad.
Liverpool boss sees positives Sunderland draw
Liverpool boss Arne Slaot sees positives in their draw against Sunderland, saying they were better than in most of their matches this season. He claimed that they would have lost such games in the previous weeks and said (via Mirror):
"Far too many times this season we don't concede a lot of chances but the ones that we do go in. We weren't lucky enough to get the win over the line but in recent weeks we would have lost this game so that is a positive. We are already 14 games in now and we haven't been able to score enough from open play or from set-pieces. I have not given a thought to how we will play at the weekend against Leeds. I have an idea who will start but I won't say."
The Reds face Leeds United, who defeated Chelsea on Wednesday, December 3, next in the Premier League. They have a trip to Italy next week to face Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League.