Liverpool has been criticized for its preseason approach by Jamie Carragher, who believes the players will be to blame if the Reds make a slow start to the Premier League campaign under Andoni Iraola
Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion on Liverpool
Jamie Carragher has offered his opinion on Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher has expressed disbelief at Liverpool's tactical approach during the preseason and contends that no other top team would play in the same manner.
The Reds concluded their warm-up program with a 2-0 win over Como at Anfield on Sunday, having seen 18 goals — nine at each end — in their previous five friendlies this summer. New head coach Andoni Iraola is attempting to introduce a more aggressive, urgent style of play in comparison to the more methodical game that cost Arne Slot his job earlier this summer.
And Carragher is concerned his former club has still not yet found the right balance going into the new Premier League campaign.
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"Liverpool will be interesting this season," he said.
"I'm intrigued to see how it goes and what players they're going to get and how they are going to go about the season.
"Liverpool have too many attacking players on the pitch; they just want to bomb forward.
"And it's the same in preseason at Liverpool this season — it's just a basketball game. No top team plays football like that. I don't believe it.
Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool head coach
Andoni Iraola is the new Liverpool head coach(Image: Getty Images)
"That's one of the reasons why we brought Iraola in at Liverpool, is because he plays 'Klopp' football — not because he's won lots of trophies, not because he's managed big clubs — because he presses, they're energetic. That's the football that we want."
Liverpool starts the season at Newcastle on Sunday, with its first six Premier League games coming against clubs that appointed a new manager in the summer.
While his predecessor Slot started with 23 wins in 27 games, Iraola will not be expected to replicate such a strong opening given the issues he has inherited.
And Carragher believes the responsibility for any slow start should rest with the squad.
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Speaking to the Overlap Fan Debate in association with Sky Bet, Carragher said: "What happens — and it happens at every club — it'll be a cycle.
"We're almost at the stage at Liverpool now where the players will get the blame — the fans want high energy football, we've got a manager who's brought that in, so if you don't do it, it's on you (the player).
"So, no, it won't be on Iraola."