Latest Liverpool news as former defender Jamie Carragher offered a scathing assessment of Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate following the 3-2 win over Newcastle United
Jamie Carragher.
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has been blunt in his assessment of two defenders.
(Image: Sky Sports Premier League/X)
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has described Milos Kerkez's start as 'poor' after their 3-2 win over Newcastle United. The 47-year-old was also critical of Ibrahima Konate's performance for the second week running following his display in the dramatic triumph over Bournemouth on the opening day.
The Hungarian failed to deal with a cross which allowed Bruno Guimarares to tower over him and offer a lifeline for the 10-man Magpies. At that time, Liverpool had the numerical advantage and a two-goal lead but they allowed the hosts to get back into the contest which led to the Brazilian's header.
Konate got caught under a searching free-kick forward as the Frenchman's difficult start to the Reds' Premier League title defence.
As a result of jostling with Dan Burn, the ball raced through for William Osula to level proceedings in an unlikely turn of events despite Liverpool looking comfortable.
“Kerkez has made a really poor start to his Liverpool career," Carragher began. "He found it really difficult against Bournemouth in the first game, he was a little bit nervous.
"He was up against Elanga today - not easy - but this isn’t enough. You’ve just got to go and head the ball. He’s almost trying to stop the player.
"That is really, really poor. He’s not the biggest but you’ve got to jump, you’ve got to challenge in that situation.”
The Champions League-winning defender added: "I said before maybe that was one of the worst ways to win - Liverpool’s performance was so poor.
"Eleven v 11 they were poor. Arne Slot talked about the duels in the game, they lost a lot of duels. At one stage I remember Anthony Gordon winning a header against [Ibrahima] Konate in the first half and thinking ‘that can’t happen!'
"Liverpool’s front four found it really tough up against that back four coming up behind them, being strong and aggressive.
"But the biggest problem I felt with Liverpool tonight was when they had the extra man they were almost just keeping the ball like there was a minute to go, going back to the goalkeeper.
"You have to go for the next goal. I kept saying all it needed was a long throw or set-piece and that’s exactly what happened. Liverpool were so poor on the ball.”
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The France international was the subject of criticism during Liverpool's 4-2 win over Bournemouth on the opening day. They, again, relinquished a two-goal lead with Antoine Semenyo forcing the Reds defence to pay for their display.
Carragher affirmed that without captain Virgil van Dijk, they would be in a worse situation and went as far to say he "shudders" at the thought of a Liverpool defence without him.
“There’s people for Liverpool who have made a really poor start to the season," he continued.
"Mo Salah is one of them, even though he’s scored a goal and got an assist. Konate is another one. He has been all over the place. You want your centre back to go with him and win that header.
"He’s going backwards but he should deal with that. He’s up against Dan Burn and Gravenberch goes on the run. I want my centre back to go and win that.
"He was all over the place last week - he was more interested in grabbing his arm. He was really poor in the first half as well. He’s absolutely not at the races.
"I shudder to think where Liverpool would be without Virgil van Dijk, who has been absolutely outstanding in both games.”