Jamie Carragher issued a damning assessment as Liverpool ‘couldn’t be any worse’, with criticism once again mounting after another poor display against Manchester United
22:00, 03 May 2026
Jamie Carragher tore into Liverpool's performance at Old Trafford
Jamie Carragher tore into Liverpool's performance at Old Trafford(Image: Sky Sports)
Jamie Carragher has delivered a scathing assessment of Liverpool, claiming the Reds “couldn’t be any worse” after a dismal display against Manchester United.
United raced into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes through strikes from Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko, with the latter potentially coming amid controversy over a possible handball in the build-up.
In truth, Liverpool was second best for much of the contest, although they did find a route back into the game when a mistake from Amad Diallo allowed Dominik Szoboszlai to reduce the deficit early in the second half. Cody Gakpo then levelled after an error from goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Carragher's assessment comes after he issued a demand to Michael Edwards after watching messy Liverpool.
READ MORE: Arne Slot gives damning verdict of Liverpool defeat vs Man Utd as familiar issues surfaceREAD MORE: Liverpool in new VAR scandal as Premier League explains Benjamin Sesko goal
However, the decisive moment came late on when Liverpool failed to clear a delivery from Luke Shaw, allowing Kobbie Mainoo to meet the loose ball on the edge of the area and fire a first-time strike into the bottom corner.
Carragher noted that at one stage Liverpool looked capable of going on to win the match, but highlighted ongoing defensive issues that have persisted throughout the season.
"Liverpool were a lot better second half. They couldn't be any worse" Carragher said on Sky Sports. "At one stage, you felt they'd go on to win the game. I always felt there would be a winning goal but Liverpool have had problems all season defensively, never looked solid. And, as has happened so often here, Man Utd go on and get the winning goal."
Roy Keane stated that United only gave Liverpool encouragement through two costly mistakes. He said: "Huge win. You try to look at the positives. They've scored three goals, were a huge goal threat and they won the game. Some mistakes they made in the secind half were self-inflicted and gave Liverpool some encouragement.
Benjamin Sesko scores
Jamie Carragher offered a damning assessment of Liverpool's first half performance
"I agree with Nev, I think Manchester United just about deserved the win. We've seen the best and the worst of them, but the game is about winning."
Article continues below
Szoboszlai admitted after the match that United’s threat from set-pieces and transitions had been identified beforehand as a key strength. That assessment was echoed by Arne Slot, who acknowledged that his side’s failure to cope with United’s strengths ultimately cost them a share of the points at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Gary Neville lays into Liverpool 'mess' as 'anxious' Arne Slot players crumbleREAD MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Man Utd as Szoboszlai good but 3 really struggle
"We weren’t able to control their strengths," he conceded after defeat at Old Trafford. "We were aware that they had strengths, two of them are set-pieces and the counter attack. The first goal we concede is a set-piece and the second one you have to know where to lose the ball against United, who are really strong and aggressive in a low block and you play the ball into the middle where is Casemiro and Mainoo and their center-backs.
If you lose it they have so many fast players, and Bruno Fernandes to hurt you in transition. That is exactly what happened. We were 2-0 down and came back in the second half to 2-2, but as always we were to switch off in one moment and conceded the goal."