Liverpool slumped to a disappointing defeat against Manchester City on Sunday after putting in a slightly better display.
The Reds looked good for a win with six minutes left to play at Anfield, but conspired to throw away two points and then all three.
The winning goal – a penalty from Erling Haaland – was a real sucker-punch for Liverpool‘s season and summed up how poor the Reds have been at home this term.
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Liverpool v Manchester City - Premier League
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Although nobody could begrudge City the win, the defeat still came from Liverpool players creating problems of their own making.
This time it was Alisson Becker, who jumped in needlessly on Mateus Nunes to give away a penalty in the dying minutes of the game. And speaking after the game, Jamie Carragher took aim at a reckless and costly decision from the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Alisson takes criticism from Carragher
There really was no need at all for Alisson to try and challenge Nunes for the ball on the touchline.
Yes, the Portuguese might have got a ball across the box, but Liverpool had bodies in there who could deal with it if he did.
Erling Haaland scores a penalty for Manchester City against Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League.
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Instead of allowing that, Alisson rushed out, took Nunes down and a penalty was rightly awarded. Back in the Sky Sports studio, Carragher could not believe it.
“There’s mistakes that you cannot believe from the calibre of players,” said the Liverpool legend. “Van Dijk against Bournemouth, Alisson here today. You cannot believe a goalkeeper of that calibre makes that decision to do that.
“Listen, you just can’t believe it. It’s not like he’s going to be able to cross the ball it’s too far ahead of him. He’s just made a crazy decision. It’s a just maddens that he finds himself making that decision. He doesn’t make many, what a goalkeeper he’s been.”
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Bernardo Silva celebrates after scoring for Manchester City against Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield (Credit: Getty Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Roy Keane agrees over Alisson mistake
Carragher was not the only one baffled by Alisson’s rush of blood to the head. Sitting alongside him, Manchester United legend Roy Keane also took aim at the Brazilian.
“Sometimes goalkeepers get bored, it’s almost nothing to do with him,” he said. “He goes looking for trouble. Crazy decision from an experienced goalkeeper.”
Had Alisson not come out at all, Liverpool would likely have earned a very creditable point.
Instead, they lose for a second time in three games and are now four points behind Chelsea in fifth position.
Seasons can be won and lost on such decisions, and Alisson will know he got one very badly wrong on Sunday evening.
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