Carragher: 'Liverpool have not replaced Mane, Firmino'

According to former defender Jamie Carragher, Liverpool's attack is having problems with Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez lacking stability.

"There's something wrong with Liverpool's front three," Carragher said on the Gary Neville Podcast on December 24. "There's a feeling that after Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino left, Liverpool haven't replaced them in terms of quality."

Mane and Firmino once combined with Mohamed Salah to form a famous attacking trio under Jurgen Klopp, contributing greatly to Liverpool's 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League wins. Mane scored 120 goals in 269 matches and left Liverpool in the summer of 2022, while Firmino contributed 111 goals in 362 matches and joined Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League in the summer of 2023.

Liverpool striker Nunez (No. 9) falls after a dispute with Arsenal defender Saliba during the 1-1 draw at Anfield in the 18th round of the Premier League on December 23. Photo: Reuters

Liverpool's attack is still reliant on Salah this season. The Egyptian star has 12 goals and seven assists in 18 Premier League games - most recently the equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Arsenal last weekend. In early January 2024, the 31-year-old striker will join up with the Egyptian national team for the Africa Cup of Nations and could miss a month.

Gakpo failed to score a single shot against Arsenal and has only scored twice in the Premier League this season. Diaz has scored just once in his last 15 games, while Nunez has failed to score in his last 12. Diogo Jota has four goals in 12 games, but has struggled with injuries.

According to Carragher, Gakpo has failed to make much of an impression since arriving at Anfield for a total fee of $60 million in January 2023. The 45-year-old former defender added that Diaz "looks like a shadow of himself" after a knee injury last season and Liverpool could strengthen the left-back if he does not improve his form.

Diaz failed to get past Saliba in Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Anfield on December 23. Photo: Reuters

Carragher also believes Nunez deserves to start because he plays well with Salah, despite his inconsistent performance. "Liverpool still have an attacking trio: Salah is number one, Nunez is number two and then who is the front three?", he said.

Gary Neville agreed with Carragher's comments, saying that Klopp used to have a trio of Firmino, Salah and Mane that worked well, but now he doesn't know who to partner Salah in attack and has to rotate and make early substitutions every game. "Firmino, Salah and Mane are all world class, while Nunez, Gakpo and Diaz are a bit sloppy. I think this is Liverpool's problem," the former Man Utd defender commented.

On December 26, Liverpool will visit newcomer Burnley in round 19 of the Premier League.

Hong Duy

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