Jamie Carragher says “something is not right” with Liverpool’s entrance line after they missed extra alternatives of their 1-1 Saturday Night time Soccer draw with Arsenal.
Liverpool had 13 pictures at Anfield however solely scored by means of Mohamed Salah’s first half strike, leaving Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez in poor goalscoring type.
Gakpo did not get a shot off towards the Gunners regardless of beginning as Jurgen Klopp’s No 9, with Diaz on a run of 1 purpose in 15 Premier League video games and Nunez goalless in 12 straight video games.
That simply leaves Salah to hold the attacking load for Liverpool, however he departs for the Africa Cup of Nations in early January and will miss a month of motion.
“Looking at Liverpool’s front three, there’s something not right about it,” Carragher stated on the Gary Neville Podcast.
“Gakpo has been right here for practically 12 months and he is had flashes however nowhere close to sufficient. Diaz seems a shadow of himself after his knee accidents final season.
“I actually really feel that Diaz must have an excellent second half of the season in any other case Liverpool will probably be going into the market in the summertime on the left-hand aspect. It simply feels that with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino going, they have not changed them by way of high quality.
“I do know Darwin Nunez began on the bench and he’s on a poor run of type by way of targets, however Nunez needs to be nearly the primary names on the staff sheet.
“Even in the midweek Carabao Cup win over West Ham, he creates a goal and he creates panic, there’s a feeling of even if it’s not going well, he can run past someone or get a shot off. Somewhere he could do something.
“It seems like we’re nonetheless making excuses for him however Liverpool have nonetheless bought proper now by way of a entrance three is: Salah is your No 1, Nunez is your No 2 after which who else within the entrance three?”
Fellow Sky Sports pundit Neville described Diaz, Gakpo and Nunez as “scruffy” and says manager Klopp does not know who to pair alongside Salah in the attacking line.
Neville said: “Jurgen Klopp is just not certain about that entrance three, he strikes them round from place to place, you do not know which one goes to play every week. He substitutes them fairly early.
“He had that front three [of Firmino, Salah and Mane] that worked like clockwork and always played. Now he’s got a situation where he’s juggling balls every week and wondering which one he’s going to pick.
“They’re scruffier. The three that had been there earlier than had been world class. Nunez, Gakpo and Diaz are scruffy, Salah is clearly not. I believe that’s one thing the place Liverpool are brief.”
Carra: Arsenal over Liverpool for title due to defence
Carragher believes Arsenal are higher positioned to win the Premier League title over Klopp’s Liverpool attributable to their defence and the Gunners’ performances towards the highest groups.
Arsenal took the lead in a quick begin at Anfield on Saturday Night time Soccer by means of Gabriel’s header however a purpose from Salah earlier than half-time pulled them again.
This month, Mikel Arteta’s aspect have misplaced to Aston Villa and drawn with Liverpool – however Carragher says Arsenal had been unfortunate to not win these video games which bodes effectively for his or her title cost.
“I think I would favour Arsenal over Liverpool,” stated Carragher when requested concerning the two groups’ title hopes. “When I look at that strength of the two centre-backs [William Saliba and Gabriel] and Declan Rice in midfield, they look really solid.
“Coming to Anfield, it was powerful for them however they actually did not give away too many probabilities. It was the identical at Aston Villa, they had been unlucky to lose that.
“And Liverpool and Aston Villa are the two best teams at home this season, the records tell you that. Even though Arsenal only picked up a point from those two games, I was more impressed with the performances than what they picked up points wise.”