Losing Virgil van Dijk to a season-ending injury layoff should not be used as an excuse time and again by the misfiring Reds, says Anfield icon Jamie Carragher.
Jurgen Klopp’s outfit have suffered a major slump in form and Saturday’s derby defeat to Everton meant that the defending champions of England were on a four-game-long losing run in Premier League football, their worst since 1923.
Liverpool FC look in grave danger of missing out on Champions League football for the next season should the recent run of events seek to continue and Carragher has come out with scathing criticism for his old club, with the Sky Sports pundit saying Van Dijk’s absence was not a reason behind the torrid results recorded by Klopp’s men of late.
‘I was very critical of Liverpool on commentary in the derby game and I seemed to upset a section of supporters,’ the former Reds defender said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.
‘I have analysed this Liverpool team for three years under their best with Klopp and I come off shows like this and other fans say Carra is biased for Liverpool.
‘Premier League champions, European Cup winners and best team in the world. There is nothing negative to say. But now, there is.
‘If I have upset Liverpool fans I don’t want to apologise. What this team has done is amazing, we love them, but it doesn’t mean they are exempt from criticism.
‘The problems Liverpool have, centre backs out, midfielders at centre back, does not mean they can’t win home games against Everton, Brighton, Burnley, West Brom.
‘It’s not an excuse for individual games. No matter what problems you have as a Liverpool player, you can’t not win at home for six games. That is not acceptable. It’s not.
‘They have to find a way to win. I don’t want to use Virgil van Dijk as an excuse because Liverpool started the game against Everton with 10 Champions League winners.
