Carragher certain that Liverpool ‘can’t win the league’ | OneFootball

Carragher Questions Liverpool’s Physical Edge in League Battle

Liverpool’s latest defeat has once again exposed deep structural flaws within Arne Slot’s team, prompting strong criticism from club legend Jamie Carragher. Following Sunday’s 2–1 loss to Manchester United at Anfield, Carragher claimed that Liverpool are “not at the races defensively” and currently lack the physical attributes needed to compete consistently at the top of the Premier League.

Carragher’s Warning on Liverpool’s Physical Deficiencies

Speaking on Sky Sports after the match, Carragher was forthright about what he sees as a worrying trend. He noted that the current Liverpool side appears ill-equipped to deal with the physical and aerial demands of the league, with recent signings failing to bring the necessary presence.

“If you look at the signings Liverpool have brought in, the full-backs are quite small so there’s no real great physical presence,” Carragher explained. “Set-piece-wise, is the team big enough? It looks like they’re not coping very well with the style of the Premier League right now. I don’t think it’s one glaring problem—it’s lots of things.”

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His remarks came after United’s winning goal was scored from a late corner, continuing a pattern of costly set-piece concessions that has plagued Liverpool throughout this campaign. The Reds have also conceded from dead-ball situations against both Newcastle United and Crystal Palace this season.

Defensive Vulnerabilities Under the Microscope

Liverpool’s defensive record in the league is rapidly becoming a cause for alarm. After only eight matches, they have already conceded 11 goals—matching totals that took far longer to accumulate last season. It’s a regression that reflects wider issues in balance and organisation rather than individual error alone.

Slot’s men have now lost their last three league games, each time conceding early and late goals, suggesting a lack of focus at key moments. Milos Kerkez and Conor Bradley, the young full-backs trusted to bring energy and drive, have often been left isolated by turnovers in midfield. When possession is lost cheaply, opposition sides find space to exploit the flanks with worrying ease.

Adding to the strain is Liverpool’s reliance on wide players who offer little defensive cover. When opponents target the space behind Mohamed Salah, for instance, Bradley has been forced into repeated one-versus-two scenarios, a pattern that teams are beginning to exploit with regularity.

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Slot’s Next Moves to Keep Title Hopes Alive

Arne Slot now faces one of the most demanding tactical tests of his managerial career. With Arsenal sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League and boasting the best defensive record in the division, Liverpool must rediscover defensive discipline to stay in contention.

One possible adjustment would be a recall for Andrew Robertson in place of Kerkez, whose adaptation to the physicality of English football has been inconsistent. Meanwhile, introducing Curtis Jones into midfield could improve ball retention, reducing exposure to counters that have repeatedly hurt Liverpool this term.

At centre-back, Joe Gomez offers a calmer presence in possession and could be reintroduced to provide balance, even if he lacks the sheer athletic power of Ibrahima Konaté. Whatever the selection, Slot’s immediate priority must be restoring defensive solidity and instilling confidence in a side whose early-season optimism is beginning to fade.

Carragher’s Verdict on Liverpool’s League Credentials

Carragher’s conclusion was stark: “Liverpool are not at the races defensively. Until they fix that, they can’t win the league.” His comments resonate with a growing concern among supporters that the team’s weaknesses are more systemic than situational.

As the fixture list intensifies, with Arsenal looming as the next major test, Slot’s tactical decisions over the coming weeks could determine whether Liverpool remain credible title challengers or slip into another season of transition.