Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher claims Jürgen Klopp’s team’s current run of form is “not acceptable” after Merseyside derby defeat.
Liverpool have fallen to sixth in the Premier League after a run of four consecutive defeats in the top flight.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show, Carragher explained why he believes that Liverpool should still be picking up wins despite the injuries the squad is dealing with:
“I said during commentary that ‘I am sick of talking about Virgil van Dijk’. And what l mean is that we have highlighted that throughout. Liverpool can’t win the league. I said that after the last league derby game. They can’t win the league with Van Dijk being out the whole season. That’s the big picture.
“But the problems Liverpool have, with centre backs out and midfielders at centre back, does not mean they can’t win home games against Everton, Brighton, Burnley, West Brom. Manchester United, maybe. And Manchester City are real top quality.
“It’s not an excuse for individual games. No matter what problems you have as a Liverpool player, you can’t not win at home for six games. That is not acceptable. It’s not.”
Carragher stated that Klopp and the first-team players that are fit simply must find a way to win games giving the quality throughout the group.
“The reason I don’t want to use Virgil van Dijk as an excuse because Liverpool started the game against Everton with 10 Champions League winners.
“That is why it is not an excuse in individual games. They have to find a way to win.
“I’ve played in teams not as good as this one. But they find a way to win. We beat Everton twice with 10 men.
“So when we are talking about Jurgen Klopp doing something different, it’s not ripping everything up. Of course, it’s not. But l do think there could be there could be a tweaking in the system, maybe a 4-2-3-1, bringing an extra attacking player in because Liverpool are struggling to score goals.”
The former Liverpool number 23 went on to discuss the backline and how a deeper defensive line may be a band-aid solution for the time being.
“Defensively, is there a case that they could they put the defence 10 yards further back? Liverpool never played this high when Jurgen Klopp first came in.
“With the high line they are playing at the moment, Ozan] Kabak is struggling, (Ben) Davies is coming in, (Nathaniel) Phillips is going to play and they need more protection.”
Next up for Liverpool is a trip to Sheffield United on Sunday night. Thomas Tuchel then brings his Chelsea side to Anfield on the following Thursday.
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