Jamie Carragher Brands Liverpool Victory a Premier League 'Robbery'
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has launched a scathing critique of his old club's performance, labelling their 1-0 win against Nottingham Forest as "one of the biggest robberies" witnessed in the Premier League this season. The Reds secured a narrow victory at the City Ground thanks to a late goal from Alexis Mac Allister, but Carragher was far from impressed with the overall display.
Carragher's Harsh Assessment of Salah and Gakpo
Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, the 48-year-old pundit did not hold back in his analysis. He particularly singled out Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo for criticism, arguing that their lacklustre performances contributed to Liverpool's creative struggles. "That's one of the biggest robberies I've seen in the Premier League this season," Carragher stated bluntly.
Liverpool managed only 10 shots throughout the game, with just four on target, while Forest posed a greater threat with 18 attempts, two of which tested the goalkeeper. The hosts also held 47% of possession, competing strongly for long periods.
Praise for Teenage Sensation Rio Ngumoha
In contrast, Carragher heaped praise on 17-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha, suggesting he made a more significant impact in his brief appearance than his experienced teammates. "Ngumoha did more in 15 minutes than Salah and Gakpo did before that. He changed the game and needs to be starting games," Carragher emphasised. He added that Liverpool's ability to secure last-minute winners remains a key trait, highlighting Ngumoha's role in the late drama.
VAR Drama and Mac Allister's Decisive Goal
The match was fraught with controversy, especially involving VAR. Initially, Mac Allister thought he had scored in the closing stages, but the goal was disallowed after a review ruled the ball had accidentally struck his arm. The Premier League Match Centre clarified the decision on social media, stating it was an accidental handball by the goalscorer.
However, Mac Allister redeemed himself deep into stoppage time, slotting home in the 97th minute after a sequence involving Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk. VAR again checked for a potential offside but allowed the goal to stand, confirming Van Dijk was onside due to Forest defender Ola Aina's positioning.
Post-Match Reflections from Mac Allister
After the game, Mac Allister expressed mixed feelings about the victory. "Love scoring, love winning. In that sense it's a really good day. But I don't think we played very well," he admitted. Regarding his disallowed goal, he acknowledged it hit his arm but called the decision "harsh," noting it also struck his back. On his match-winner, he revealed he had predicted another opportunity, saying, "I knew I would get another one."
This result leaves Liverpool with three points, but Carragher's comments underscore ongoing concerns about their performance levels, while shining a light on the promising talent of Rio Ngumoha.
