Jamie Carragher hasn’t held back in his criticism of Liverpool’s players after losing to Aston Villa, calling them “physically and mentally” weak.
The Reds produced another insipid performance at Villa Park, en route to losing 4-2, in a blow to their Champions League hopes.
As has been the case all season, Liverpool fell apart when faced with adversity, with nowhere near enough players turning up.
Speaking while co-commentating on Sky Sports, Carragher lambasted the lack of physical and mental quality in this Reds squad.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot applauds the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. Aston Villa won 4-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“This has been happening from the first day of the season on a Friday night against Bournemouth,” Carragher said.
“Liverpool have far too many weak players – physically and mentally – and it has to be fixed. It looks like Arne Slot is going to be the man who has to fix it next season.
“But this result does nothing in terms of the feelings of the supporters around his position right now.
“Liverpool don’t excel at anything. They look like a really average team. They have been taken to the cleaners.”
Jamie Carragher stunned at Liverpool’s league position
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 11, 2025: Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, working for Sky Sports, before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Carragher also claimed that Liverpool are fortunate to be fifth in the Premier League table, with their season deserving far worse.
“When you look at those results away from home, I always think it tells you about your personality and character,” he added.
“I can’t actually believe that Liverpool are fifth in the league.
“You think about the numbers of the goals they’ve conceded, they never look threatening going forward, and that away record – and Liverpool are fifth in the Premier League? Wow.
“It’s the first season where I’ve seen Virgil van Dijk look human – and it’s had an effect on others. When you look at his partners, people tell me how good they are.
“But when Van Dijk is not at his best, sometimes you need them to step up and help him a little bit. It doesn’t happen.”
Is Jamie Carragher’s criticism of Liverpool harsh?
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - Friday, May 15, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai reacts to conceding their side's fourth goal during the FA Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Liverpool FC at Villa Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Carragher can be an outspoken pundit at times, but it is hard to disagree with his assessment of this Liverpool side.
The Reds have looked lacking in fitness and mentality an alarming number of times this season, being outrun and outfought by opponents.
Against Villa, there was an inevitability about them collapsing as soon as Ollie Watkins made it 2-1, rather than them responding to going behind.
Many will rightly point at Slot and say the buck stops with him, with Liverpool’s head coach seemingly losing the support of his players.
Granted, individuals also have to look at themselves, but a weak culture has been created this season, and that is on the Dutchman.
Quite how Liverpool have gone from being such mentally strong champions to this is hard to explain, but there is a huge amount to dislike about them currently.