Liverpool’s season went from bad to worst yesterday as Leeds United beat the Reds 2-1 at Anfield ending a long period of dominance at the famous stadium.
The statistics will tell you that Liverpool’s 29-game unbeaten home run, dating back to March 2021, is over, but it was in all actuality their first Premier League defeat in front of their own fans since April 23, 2017.
That is the magnitude of what Jesse Marsch and Leeds achieved on Saturday night when Crysencio Summerville bagged an 89th-minute winner for the Yorkshire side.
It was yet another setback in a very poor start to the season for Jurgen Klopp’s side as the Reds sit ninth in the Premier League table having lost four games already in their opening 12.
Former Liverpool star and Sky Sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, was doing the commentary for the broadcaster last night and was critical of his former club throughout but the former defender showed his worry for Klopp’s side with one line.
“This isn’t a blip for Liverpool, this is a serious problem. What has gone wrong with this team? They are a shadow of themselves,” Carragher stated during the match.
Liverpool show no signs of improving anytime soon as the Champions League places already seem to be drifting away.
Jamie Carragher: "This isn't a blip for Liverpool, this is a serious problem. What has gone wrong with this team? They are a shadow of themselves." #LIVLEE
— Kevin Palmer (@RealKevinPalmer) October 29, 2022
The players for so long have shown a togetherness, a close bond. Two thinks happened last season that were closely linked. First Mane left and secondly Salah got a huge pay day. I think both are linked and so is the problem we see now.
Mane was never going to get the big pay day he deserved because those at LFC always saw Salah as the golden boy. Add to that, LFC could not or would not sanction 2 massive pay increases.
So, Sadio had to leave. This had to happen before they would give Salah the deal that so many fans wanted and called out for. “Pay him what he deserves” so many cried, without thinking of the consequences.
When a huge pay increase like that happens it rocks the boat, added pressure is put on all around, especially Salah who has looked a shadow of his former self. All eyes look to him now to make and take every chance and the pressure mounts. This pressure is then passed down through the team and players start making mistakes.
Injuries have hit us yes, but players like Trent, Salah, Fabinho and Henderson struggle with form. They are a shadow of the players we had last season, even VVD is more prone to injuries but I put that down to having to play along side Gomez.
I don’t see a solution.