Jamie Carragher has warned that Liverpool “won’t win the league” unless Arne Slot addresses defensive issues exposed in Friday’s 4-2 win over Bournemouth.
The reigning Premier League champions raced into a 2-0 lead through Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo, but Bournemouth hit back with two clinical strikes from Antoine Semenyo. Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah rescued all three points late for the Reds.
Carragher, on Sky Sports punditry, criticised Liverpool’s defensive approach, calling it “absolutely shocking” when leading 2-1. He highlighted the vulnerability of centre-back Ibrahima Konate and the space left by attacking full-backs.
“It’s unbelievable. How many players were ahead of the ball – maybe eight – when they were winning 2-1? That can’t happen,” said Carragher. “For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is incredible – but where is Konate? He had a really, really poor night.”
The former defender stressed that the problem is tactical rather than personnel. “It’s only a game on top of the Community Shield, but this idea that everyone bombs forward, it’s not for me. At no time last week did I ever feel Liverpool were in control,” he said.
Carragher also noted that new signing Giovanni Leoni and potential target Marc Guehi won’t solve the underlying issue if Slot’s system leaves centre-backs isolated.
“There is definitely a problem Arne Slot has to solve,” he added. “A centre-back doesn’t fix that. If Liverpool continues like that, I don’t think they will win the league.”
