The frustration was palpable, radiating from Jamie Carragher as he watched Liverpool stumble against PSV. It wasn't a quiet disappointment; it was a raw, visceral reaction captured on camera, revealing a depth of concern few knew he harbored.
Footage emerged of Carragher fixated on the screen, his voice rising with each mistake. When Ibrahima Konate’s error directly led to PSV’s third goal, a torrent of disbelief erupted. “Oh my God, Konate. Oh my God Konate. Watch Konate here, oh my God,” he exclaimed, the words laced with mounting fury.
The intensity didn’t subside. Carragher was then seen urgently making a phone call, his voice strained. “I’ve f had enough of them,” he declared, singling out Konate. “Honest to God, that Konate. It’s a sackable offence for the manager to keep picking him. Should be sacked for that.”
His criticism wasn’t solely focused on the present moment. Carragher confessed to harboring doubts about the squad even during their Premier League triumph. He acknowledged the harshness of recent critiques, but stressed the need for leadership to emerge when the team faltered.
Mohamed Salah, a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success, also drew Carragher’s attention. He challenged Salah to directly address the supporters, to offer reassurance and insight into the struggles within the dressing room. He felt a public statement was needed to restore hope.
The legendary defender didn’t shy away from questioning the decline of Virgil van Dijk, acknowledging that even the seemingly superhuman center-back now required support. He pointed out that Van Dijk, like any player, had limitations and couldn’t consistently carry the team.
Carragher’s frustration extended to the entire squad, questioning whether players were capable of performing independently of their star teammates. He wondered if they had simply benefited from being carried by exceptional talent during their peak years.
He recalled concerning performances from last season – the dismal showing at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, the woeful display against PSG – moments where the team was exposed and relied on individual brilliance to salvage results. These instances fueled his growing unease.
Ultimately, Carragher’s outburst wasn’t just about a single game or a single player. It was a lament for a team seemingly unable to replicate its former glory, a team he feared might not be equipped to consistently compete for the biggest trophies. He concluded that the current level of performance was simply “not acceptable” for Liverpool Football Club.
He admitted to questioning the quality of some players, even during the championship season, wondering if they were truly capable of sustaining success when the exceptional performances of others waned. The question lingered: where were the others when the stars weren’t shining?
