-Credit:Getty Images
Jamie Carragher implored Liverpool to fortify their defensive solidity through the January transfer window on the heels of the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.
On Tuesday, Nottingham Forest’s lone score came via a superb finish off the left foot of Chris Wood inside eight minutes. Yet the impressive goal came against the run of play, as The Garibaldis routinely fought off one offensive push after another from The Reds. Goalkeeper Matz Sels turned in a masterful performance in the second half, with his stellar performance even drawing the praise of Liverpool boss Arne Slot.
“Their goalkeeper had to make a few incredible saves but their defenders also made some good blocks with quite a few chances. They blocked almost every shot,” he said following the match.
“I could not have asked for more. Second half was outstanding. There are not many teams that can create so many chances against an opponent so defensively strong. Unfortunately we couldn’t get a second.”
While Slot and Co. will be more than content with escaping the City Ground with a draw to the club that now sits one slot under them in the Premier League table, Carragher asserted that they should’ve secured all three points.
“Liverpool should’ve won tonight, but they continue to create big chances even in the games they don’t win,” he wrote on X. “But the defensive solidity they had at the start of the season has gone. Always look likely to concede. Buy a defender!!!!”
Liverpool settled for a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday -Credit:Getty Images
This hardly is the first time that Carragher has taken aim at Liverpool’s defense. During Sky Sports’ post-match coverage of The Reds’ 2-2 draw with Man United last week, the 46-year-old insisted that they needed to add more reinforcements to the unit.
“Liverpool need to sign a full-back. I think they need a left-back,” he said. “Trent Alexander-Arnold was really poor. He will be a lot better than that and Conor Bradley is fantastic. I just think Andy Robertson, who is an absolute legend, is just hanging on in every game.
“I don’t think Kontas Tsimikas is quite of the standard to come in and replace him. I think if Liverpool could get a left-back in January, I think that’d put Liverpool in a really strong position to win the league.”
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To Carragher’s credit, his harsh criticism is backed in reason. Over The Reds’ last seven league games, they have conceded 12 goals – a stark contrast to the first 13 matches under Slot that witnessed seven shutouts and just eight scores surrendered.
According to Slot, however, the rise in goals can be attributed to the rise in difficulty during the second half of the season. “The second half of the season is always more difficult,” he said. “You’ve already faced a team, they know us better. They know our playing style even better. Some teams even bring players in during the winter break or bring a new manager in.
“And they have to fight for every point. Here at Forest they want to stay up where they are. Next week maybe you can face a team that’s in a relegation battle. So to win in the second half of the season is always harder than in the first.”