Jamie Carragher gives a scathing review of Liverpool and pokes fun at Virgil van Dijk
Speaking on CBS Sports, as quoted by Sky Sports, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher gave a scathing review of the team after an embarrassing defeat to Real Madrid and poked fun at Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool lost 5-2 to European champions at Anfield in the first leg of the last-16 tie in the Champions League. That scoreline also means that the Reds have little to no chance of turning things around when they play the same opponents at the Bernabeu in three weeks.
A few months ago, Virgil van Dijk was asked by Gary Neville whether Carragher would walk into the current Liverpool back-line. The Dutchman was honest in his answer when he declined the route for the Reds legend.
Here’s what Carragher said about the performance of Jurgen Klopp’s men and poking fun at van Dijk (h/t Sky Sports):
“That was shambolic from Liverpool. Embarrassing.
“We’ve made excuses for them all season and said there’s reasons why they’re not doing as well as they have done in previous seasons, but that was a disgrace that second half.
“What makes me laugh is Virgil van Dijk said I wouldn’t get in that back four about two months ago.
“I think I’d take his place at the moment. We keep talking about the midfield players Liverpool need – and I think that’s right – but Liverpool need defenders as well. When they get exposed, they can’t defend.”
It is a cheap shot from a legend like Carragher to call out one of the best defenders ever to play for this club and make fun of him when everyone knows he is not at his best. When van Dijk was asked the question, he gave an honest answer. This from Carragher was a salty response and not an honest rebuttal.
As much as everyone is respectful of what Carragher has done for Liverpool, we should note that van Dijk has done more than that in less time, despite missing one season due to a serious injury.
This is not the time when club legends call out current players just because they are going through a rough phase. Criticising is alright, but making cheap shots shows the standard of thinking.
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For Liverpool and van Dijk, it is time to come back from this humbling and do well in the league. They still have a chance to finish fourth, because having Champions League money could be beneficial come the summer rebuild.
As for Carragher, his personal affront at Van Dijk’s comment aside, he really should learn to not kick his old team when they are down. He is after all no Steven Gerrard to walk into any Liverpool team.
