Carragher blames Slot for something ‘really poor’ he saw in Liverpool win vs Bournemouth
Liverpool secured a 4-2 victory against Bournemouth to kick off their Premier League campaign, but it was far from plain sailing.
The Reds were cruising at 2-0 up before Antoine Semenyo shocked Anfield with a stunning brace, and Liverpool were staring down the barrel of a draw.
However, Federico Chiesa stepped up to net his first Premier League goal, before Mohamed Salah secured all three points late on.
Liverpool’s defending throughout the game was questionable, and Jamie Carragher has now slammed one particularly poor moment.
Carragher slams Liverpool structure for Semenyo equaliser
Ibrahima Konate was particularly poor on the night, and his defending was suspect for both of Semenyo’s goals.
Carragher called out Konate for his woeful display during the match, but speaking to Sky Sports after the game, he highlighted how Liverpool’s structure out of possession led to the equaliser.
“It is unbelievable. Arne Slot’s made those changes to make sure things like this don’t happen. Fantastic from Semenyo – but Liverpool have had this problem,” he said on Sky Sports Main Event.
“How many players were ahead of the ball – maybe eight players – when they were winning 2-1? That can’t happen. It’s absolutely shocking at this level.
“For Semenyo to run that far and get his shot away is incredible – but where Konate is going? He had a really, really poor night tonight at centre-back.
“That is not right. It’s not. It’s not only game on top of the Community Shield – but I’ve watched enough football in my life. This idea that everyone bombs forward, it’s not for me. I don’t like it.”
Liverpool vulnerable to transition threat
With several new signings, including Florian Wirtz, making their debuts and still adapting to their new team, it was never going to be perfect immediately, but there is a concern for Arne Slot.
Liverpool looked vulnerable on the counter-attack throughout the game against Bournemouth, and Ryan Gravenberch was perhaps a big miss.
Dominik Szoboszlai was impressive off the ball, but Liverpool’s new expansive shape with Wirtz means more space is left in behind, and Semenyo exploited this well with Konate failing to cover the gaps.
- Liverpool had eight players ahead of the ball, at 2-1 up, before Semenyo’s equaliser.
- Slot is arguably to blame as it is his tactical setup which has led to more Liverpool players pushing higher up the pitch.
Liverpool will need to fix their defensive issues, possibly by signing Marc Guehi, if they are to adapt to this ultra-attacking style, or they could continue to be exposed in transition against speedy opposition.
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