Jamie Carragher has expressed disbelief at the tactical approach from Liverpool during pre-season and contends no other top team would play in the same manner.
The Reds concluded their warm-up programme with a 2-0 win over Como at Anfield on Sunday evening, having seen 18 goals - nine at each end - in their previous five friendlies this summer.
New head coach Andoni Iraola is attempting to introduce a more aggressive, urgent style of play in comparison to the more methodical game that cost Arne Slot his job earlier this summer.
Carragher's Concerns
And Carragher is concerned his former club have still not yet found the right balance going into the new Premier League campaign.
“Liverpool will be interesting this season," he said. "I’m intrigued to see how it goes and what players they’re going to get and how they are going to go about the season.
"Liverpool have too many attacking players on the pitch, they just want to bomb forward. And it’s the same in pre-season at Liverpool this season - it’s just a basketball game. No top team plays football like that. I don’t believe it.
"That’s one of the reasons why we brought Iraola in at Liverpool, is because he plays ‘Klopp’ football - not because he’s won lots of trophies, not because he’s managed big clubs - because he presses, they’re energetic. That’s the football that we want."
Season Ahead
Liverpool start the season at Newcastle United on Sunday, with their first six Premier League games coming against clubs that appointed a new manager in the summer.
While his predecessor Slot started with 23 wins in 27 games, Iraola will not be expected to replicate such a strong opening given the issues he has inherited.
And Carragher believes the responsibility for any slow start should rest with the squad.
Speaking to the Overlap Fan Debate in association with Sky Bet, Carragher said: "What happens - and it happens at every club - it’ll be a cycle.
"We’re almost at the stage at Liverpool now where the players will get the blame - the fans want high energy football, we’ve got a manager who’s brought that in, so if you don’t do it, it’s on you (the player).
"So, no, it won’t be on Iraola."
