Jamie Carragher has launched a scathing critique of Liverpool‘s style of play heading into the season under new manager Andoni Iraola, hitting out at the “basketball game” played by the Reds.
Liverpool kick off their season on Sunday when they travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United.
Given the upheaval the Magpies have experienced this summer, the Reds will be favourites to emerge victorious on what is likely to be an emotional day, with the game to be preceded by tributes to Newcastle and Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan, who died last month aged 75.
Still, Carragher sees cause for concerns following the Reds’ pre-season preparations, with Iraola’s side scoring nine goals and conceded nine across their warm-up games.
Iraola was brought in to replace Arne Slot, who was relieved of his duties after two seasons in charge. Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title in his first campaign, but they dropped off dramatically last term, slumping to a fifth-placed finish amid significant criticism of the style of play under the Dutchman.
Carragher criticises Liverpool’s ‘basketball game’ style
The success Iraola enjoyed in his time at Bournemouth, who finished sixth last term, came in large part because of the intensity with which his team played.
It is that brand of football that will have attracted the Liverpool hierarchy to the Spaniard, but former Reds centre-back Carragher is worried about an overemphasis on attacking players.
“Liverpool will be interesting this season,” Carragher said during an appearance on The Overlap Fan Debate.
“I’m intrigued to see how it goes and what players they’re going to get and how they are going to go about the season.
“Liverpool have too many attacking players on the pitch, they just want to bomb forward. And it’s the same in pre-season at Liverpool this season – it’s just a basketball game. No top team plays football like that. I don’t believe it.”
However, Carragher does not believe the fans will turn on Iraola if his style of play, which is similar to that employed by Jurgen Klopp during his legendary tenure at the club, fails to deliver results.
“One of the reasons why we brought Iraola in at Liverpool, is because he plays ‘Klopp’ football – not because he’s won lots of trophies, not because he’s managed big clubs – because he presses, they’re energetic. That’s the football that we want,” Carragher added.
“We’re almost at the stage at Liverpool now where the players will get the blame – the fans want high energy football, we’ve got a manager who’s brought that in, so if you don’t do it, it’s on you. So, no, it [the scrutiny] won’t be on Iraola.”
