Carragher insists Liverpool’s injury woes aren’t an excuse for poor form | OneFootball

Jamie Carragher has insisted that Liverpool’s injury woes can’t be used as an excuse for their recent poor form, amid the champion’s run of four successive league defeats.

After the highs of clinching their first ever Premier League title last season, the current campaign has been a real disappointment, Liverpool currently in sixth and now 19 points behind leaders Manchester City, as well as five points behind fourth-placed West Ham United.

Their defeat at home to Everton at the weekend was not only their first loss against the Toffees at Anfield since 1999, but also made it a fourth straight home loss, the first time that has happened for the club since 1923.

The game also saw captain Jordan Henderson limp off midway through the first-half to compound their injury woes even further, the club already currently without the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Fabinho and Joel Matip.

Although the loss of their first-choice centre-backs, in particular, has been a key factor in their decline this term, former Reds defender Carragher has admitted that isn’t an excuse for their poor form and has criticised the manager’s decision not to alter the system.

“I was very critical of Liverpool on commentary in the derby game and I seemed to upset a section of supporters,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football.

“I have analysed this Liverpool team for three years under their best with Klopp and I come off shows like this and other fans say Carra is biased for Liverpool.

“Premier League champions, European Cup winners and best team in the world. There is nothing negative to say. But now, there is.

“If I have upset Liverpool fans I don’t want to apologise. What this team has done is amazing, we love them, but it doesn’t mean they are exempt from criticism.

“The problems Liverpool have, centre backs out, midfielders at centre back, does not mean they can’t win home games against Everton, Brighton, Burnley, West Brom.

“It’s not an excuse for individual games. No matter what problems you have as a Liverpool player, you can’t not win at home for six games. That is not acceptable. It’s not.

“They have to find a way to win. I don’t want to use Virgil van Dijk as an excuse because Liverpool started the game against Everton with 10 Champions League winners.

“That is why it is not an excuse in individual games. There could be a tweaking in the system, a 4-2-3-1, an extra attacking player in.

“Defensively, could they put the defence 10 yards further back? [Ozan] Kabak is struggling, [Ben] Davies is coming in, [Nathaniel] Phillips is going to play and they need more protection.”

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