Alan Shearer found himself on the receiving end of social media mockery after a glaring error during the first Match of the Day of the new season. The former England striker criticised Liverpool debutant Milos Kerkez for his role in Bournemouth's first goal on Friday night, only for fans to point out the left-back had already been substituted.
Liverpool had stormed into a 2-0 lead early in the second half, but Bournemouth fought back with two goals from Antoine Semenyo. During a replay of the visitors' first goal, Shearer said: "There's Kerkez, there. He's on the way to attack when they haven't even got possession, which means he's five or six yards out of position." However, Kerkez and fellow full-back Jeremie Frimpong had been taken off just before the hour mark, with Andy Robertson replacing Kerkez at left-back.
Viewers were quick to highlight the pundit's mistake. One wrote: "Shearer on MOTD slagging off Kerkez for the first goal for being too attacking even though he'd already been subbed. Brilliant stuff Al." Another added: "An absolute belter on MOTD last night, Shearer berating Kerkez for being out of position for Bournemouth's 1st goal. Technically he was I suppose as he wasn't even on the pitch, but lets not let facts get in the way of a good story."
Despite the defensive concerns, Liverpool showed their attacking quality at the other end. After Semenyo's double stunned Arne Slot's side, Federico Chiesa came off the bench to restore the Reds' advantage, before Mohamed Salah added a stoppage-time fourth. Goalkeeper Alisson praised the Italian forward, saying: "For Federico today coming from the bench, he's a special player for us who is there training every day. Everybody knows his situation was not that easy in the summer, but he kept working hard and today he gets the reward for scoring the winner for us."
The incident occurred on the first Match of the Day in the post-Gary Lineker era, with Mark Chapman anchoring the show. Chapman had earlier spoken about the new format, saying: "We've all worked in sport and it's about the pundits first and foremost, getting the best out of the pundits, and that's the most important thing for us. But this, for me, is a show that is thriving. It's a show that we hope to continue doing what's been done so far."
