Jamie Carragher pinpoints Liverpool issue they have 'always lacked' after Fulham defeat
Jamie Carragher confessed the lack of a left-footed centre-back as a long-term issue for Liverpool, which counted against them during their loss against Fulham
Jamie Carragher has cited the lack of a left-footed centre-half as an issue Liverpool have always had - and it contributed to one of the goals they conceded at the weekend. Fulham secured the three points as they knocked off the Reds on Sunday.
The hosts landed a 3-2 win at Craven Cottage, with Marco Silva's side scoring all three of their goals in a 14-minute period during the first half. Some of those strikes owed to Liverpool shooting themselves in the foot, with Arne Slot bemoaning their self-inflicted errors.
The goal scored by Iwobi came after Liverpool surrendered possession just outside their own penalty area after being put under pressure by Fulham's high press. Andy Robertson attempted a cross-field pass after Virgil van Dijk passed to him - with Carragher taking a deep dive into the long-term reasons behind it.
Carragher said when analysing that strike said: "The reason why Fulham have pushed it to van Dijk is... and something Liverpool have always lacked... a left-footed centre back.
"Now, the reason I think Virgil van Dijk probably goes to [left back] Andy Robertson is it's the obvious pass, of course. It's not a bad pass, but maybe a left-footed centre back with the quality of Van Dijk could actually go there [and play a long-range pass from left to right and find Mo Salah in space].
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"He goes to Andy Robertson and he's just got to go back to the goalkeeper. He tries a cross-field pass, he gets it wrong and we know what happens. It was a nightmare scenario for him."
Ibrahima Konate is Van Dijk's usual partner at the heart of defence and both men could well be at the club next season - which would mean the left-footed issue would remain. The Dutchman has confirmed that he and the club are progressing when it comes to contract talks with his deal currently expiring in the summer.
Van Dijk bemoaned the club's display in west London, citing individual errors that led to them seeing their unbeaten away run come to an end. The Dutchman insists the "job is not done" with Liverpool needing to officially confirm themselves as champions despite still holding a mammoth lead at the top.
He said: “It was a poor day at the office for all of us. I think they were individual moments that should have been dealt with better.
"In games, these moments can happen but if you let them back in, they obviously scored three goals and we were on the back foot. No-one can ever be perfect and we were sloppy and we got punished."
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