Jamie Carrager has been extremely critical of Liverpool’s defensive exhibit against Bournemouth, with the Reds being heavily linked to Mark Guech’s £40 million move
Liverpool’s defense was branded as “absolutely shocking” after the first game of the new season. Liverpool rose 2-0 thanks to goals from Hugo Ekitique and Cody Gakupo, but surrendered the lead in the second half.
Antoine Semenjo’s braces were 2-2 with a late goal from Federico Chiesa and a late goal from Mohamed Sarah, with Liverpool earning all three points. However, Reds legend Jamie Carager was not satisfied with Liverpool’s defensive exhibit and felt Ibrahima Conate was responsible for both goals.
“It’s incredible,” Karager told Sky Sports. “It’s great from Semeño – but Liverpool has this problem. When they won 2-1, how many players were ahead of the ball?
“That can’t happen. It’s absolutely shocking at this level. It’s incredible that Semenyo runs that far and steals a shot – but where is Conate going? He had a really, really poor night at centre-back tonight.
“That’s not true. It’s not. It’s just a game on top of the community shield – but I’ve seen enough football in my life.
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“In last week’s Community Shield, there was little I felt Liverpool had control of the game. You can draw 2-2 at Palace. That was how easy Crystal Palace is in Liverpool and tonight.
Liverpool has already signed a new centre-back and has introduced Giovan Nileoni from Parma for £26 million, but performance against Bournemouth and Conate’s displays can keep interest in Crystal Palace’s Captain Marc Guech.
Liverpool is holding talks with England International over the moves of BBC Sports, and Palace hopes Guehi to spend around £40 million and will be signed with the deal expired next summer. And club captain Virgil Van Dik has admitted that signing new defenders will “accelerate” their improvements.
“You can say you have to accelerate it (improvement), but it’s in the market. We have to focus on what we’re here and now,” Van Dik said. “I think it’s been much better than the last game (defensibly), but there’s still work to do.
“The manager is already playing with the right back (Jeremy Frimon) from the Bundesliga, and is 24 years old and says we’re trying to get used to defense.
“It takes time, it’s absolutely normal, but we played without the six Ryan Gravenburch (with suspension).
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