Jamie Carragher made no attempt to conceal his frustration toward Federico Chiesa as Liverpool suffered a disappointing defeat to Manchester United on Sunday afternoon
20:11, 03 May 2026
: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool looks dejected following the Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool
Jamie Carragher criticized Federico Chiesa's throw-in(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher was left furious with Federico Chiesa after a costly throw-in error during the closing stages of Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
The visitors endured a difficult first half at Old Trafford, falling two goals behind through strikes from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Liverpool responded after the break, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo restoring parity.
However, a late winner from Kobbie Mainoo ultimately settled the contest, condemning Arne Slot’s side to their 11th league defeat of a challenging campaign. One moment likely to frustrate Reds supporters came in stoppage time, when Chiesa took a careless throw-in as his side pushed for a late equalizer. Meanwhile, an Arne Slot error proves costly as Liverpool and United reality clear.
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The former Liverpool defender criticized the Italian while on commentary for Sky Sports. He said: “I mean, can you believe that throw-in from Federico Chiesa. Unbelievable.”
The moment has already drawn comparisons to Iago Aspas’ infamous corner in 2014. With 90 minutes on the clock and Liverpool pushing desperately for a goal against Chelsea, the Reds won a corner and sent almost every outfield player forward into the box. Aspas stepped up and fired the ball straight at Willian on the edge of the box.
Carragher also weighed in on Liverpool’s style of play under Slot, amid criticism that the team’s approach has been too slow. While some supporters have questioned the tempo, Carragher suggested fans may need to adjust expectations, noting that the high-intensity pressing associated with Jurgen Klopp’s tenure is unlikely to be replicated under the current manager.
The 48-year-old said: "We can't be a club who continue for the next five or 10 years saying, 'Oh, we want Jurgen Klopp football.' The fella is a genius. He does football better than anybody. So whatever manager is going to come in, he's going to play his football.
Jamie Carragher during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Etihad Stadium on May 2, 2025 in Manchester, England.
Jamie Carragher also weighed in on Liverpool's style of play(Image: Getty Images)
"The worry is not that there's no identity. That is the identity. Don't forget any sort of Dutch coach, Dutch way of doing things, possession, technical football.
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"You think of the players that have been brought in. They're not club players. So when people keep saying about like, onto the recruitment upstairs, well, that was the recruitment team. Who were they were club they bring a different style of players in. So it's on the manager's shoulders. And I go back to last year when Liverpool didn't sign anybody, but the one player he wanted was Zubimendi again, another technical footballer.
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"I'm not saying that doesn't work. The most successful team in the Premier League over the last 10 years have been a technical football team, but we're going away from what Jurgen Klopp was, because this manager wants that.
"This is where he's taken this team. And that's the worry for me, is this actually going to go more of the other way? Or are we thinking Liverpool needs to go back to last season? Or is Arne Slot thinking, 'No, we actually need more technical football?'"