Jamie Carragher has launched a stinging attack on Liverpool's "awful" display after the reigning champions dropped more points in a dismal 1-1 home draw with Sunderland on Wednesday night.
Carragher's Scathing Half-Time Verdict
The former Reds defender, analysing the game for Sky Sports, did not hold back as he watched his old club struggle at Anfield. Liverpool fell behind to a deflected Chemsdine Talbi strike and were fortunate to salvage a point via a Nordi Mukiele own goal, leaving them eighth in the table and a staggering 11 points off the summit.
"Liverpool have been awful. Sunderland have been so much sharper," Carragher stated bluntly during the broadcast. He pinpointed Virgil van Dijk's role in the opener, where the captain's attempted block wrong-footed Alisson, as symbolic of their troubles. "Virgil van Dijk turns his back. That goal sums up Liverpool in this game."
A Season Unravelling for Slot's Side
The draw continues a deeply concerning run of form for Arne Slot's team. They have now lost more Premier League games this season (six in 14) than in the entirety of their title-winning 2024/25 campaign. Their struggles are not confined to domestic action, having been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace and sitting 13th in their Champions League group after a 4-1 home thrashing by PSV Eindhoven.
Carragher highlighted the lack of energy and urgency, arguing the performance felt like a step backwards. "They didn't look like scoring. They were lacking zip, energy, pace and power. It's really worrying," he said. Despite a win at West Ham last Sunday, Liverpool have not managed back-to-back league victories since September.
Slot Seeks Positives Amidst the Gloom
Liverpool boss Arne Slot attempted to find a silver lining as he looks ahead to this weekend's clash with Leeds United. "Far too many times this season we don't concede a lot of chances but the ones that we do go in," he told Match of the Day. "We weren't lucky enough to get the win over the line but in recent weeks we would have lost this game so that is a positive."
Slot also addressed the ongoing situation with Mohamed Salah, who was named on the bench for a second consecutive game before coming on at half-time. "It has nothing to do with Mo or anyone," the manager told Sky Sports, refusing to be drawn on his selection plans for Leeds.
The performance left Carragher exasperated, concluding at half-time: "They are sleepwalking through the game, everything feels so slow. Liverpool need to get organised for the second half, there's far too much space all over the pitch." His words underscore the scale of the task facing Slot to revive a season that is rapidly slipping away.
