Jamie Carragher criticised Liverpool's midfield after the Reds were held to a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United in their opening Premier League match, saying the setup 'cannot work' after the Magpies twice scored on the counter-attack.
Newcastle took the lead through Anthony Elanga, with Cody Gakpo equalising after the break. Joe Willock restored the home side's advantage seconds after coming off the bench, but Dominik Szoboszlai converted a 96th-minute penalty after Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz to earn Liverpool a point.
Carragher's verdict on Liverpool's midfield
The Reds looked vulnerable in Andoni Iraola's first game in charge, with Newcastle consistently overrunning the midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz. Carragher posted on Twitter after Elanga's goal: 'LFC Midfield all bombing forward happened all pre-season, madness!'
After Willock's goal in similar circumstances, Carragher added: 'Again! This midfield cannot work, I said it before a competitive ball was kicked.'
Sturridge urges Liverpool to sign a defensive midfielder
Former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge agreed with Carragher, urging Iraola to sign a new No.6 before the transfer window closes on September 1. 'I think the team needs a defensive midfielder personally,' he told Sky Sports. 'We've been talking about the defensive midfielder at Liverpool for the past three years.'
Sturridge pointed to Brentford's Mamadou Sangare as an example, saying his stats 'jump out' and that Liverpool 'don't have that profile of player right now'. He also praised Trey Nyoni but noted the youngster is not a 'destroyer' like Sangare or N'Golo Kante.
Liverpool have not been heavily linked with a new defensive midfielder, with the club instead focusing on a new winger to replace Mohamed Salah. The Reds have seen two bids for Yankuba Minteh rejected, with Brighton reportedly seeking £70m for the Gambia international.
