Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has delivered a stark assessment of his former club's struggles, pinpointing a lack of physicality as their fundamental flaw and urging for immediate January transfer action.
The Physicality Problem
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast during the November international break, Carragher was brutally honest about Arne Slot's team languishing in eighth place in the Premier League. He highlighted that the squad has managed just a single league victory since their initial five-match winning streak at the start of the 2025/26 campaign.
"They can't handle the physicality of the Premier League this season," Carragher stated. He elaborated that this weakness is most exposed in away fixtures, citing recent losses to Crystal Palace, Brentford, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Four of those five defeats occurred away from the comfort of Anfield.
A Prescribed Transfer Fix
Carragher believes the solution lies in the January transfer window and specifically named Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo as a potential target. He pointed to the player's profile and a likely productive link with Liverpool's sporting director, Richard Hughes.
"I've just seen the Semenyo [January release clause] come up and obviously he's got the link with Richard Hughes," Carragher noted. "When you actually look at him as a player, lightening quick, big and powerful." He contrasted this with Liverpool's current wide options, suggesting Mohamed Salah is no longer a 'flying machine' and Cody Gakpo also lacks that explosive pace and power.
Defensive Concerns and Champions League Fears
The analysis didn't stop with the attack. Carragher also expressed significant concern over the defensive depth, exacerbated by Ibrahima Konate's inconsistent form. He labelled the failure to sign a centre-back like Marc Guehi as a "bad mistake" that could prove costly.
His warning was unequivocal: "I think if Liverpool don't sign a centre-back in January..." he began, before being interrupted by fellow pundit Roy Keane, who finished the thought with "They'd miss out on the Champions League." Carragher's simple, sobering reply was: "I think they could."
Ultimately, Carragher concluded that the current group of players is not equipped to win the league this season, making strategic January signings not just an option, but a necessity for Arne Slot.
