Jamie Carragher has admitted Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes are over after an “unacceptable performance” in their Merseyside derby defeat against Everton.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten 2-0 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night with Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring for the hosts.
Carragher told Sky Sports that his former team’s title hopes have been ended by their rivals, with Liverpool three points behind Arsenal with four games left this season.
“This is the end of the title race for Liverpool,” Carragher said. “It almost feels like the end and they just have to make sure they finish the season strong.”
“They had enough opportunities at the beginning of the game, but they were not clinical enough in both areas.
Liverpool’s title hopes suffered a blow with a 2-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher believes defeat to Everton ends his hopes
Carragher suggested Liverpool now need to focus on ending Jurgen Klopp’s time at the top
“I don’t think it’s the time to get too angry with the team or with Jurgen Klopp. It’s been a great journey, a great trip, but tonight is Everton’s night.”
The former Liverpool captain claimed Liverpool’s performance at Goodison Park was “unacceptable” in the final weeks of the title race.
The Reds have stumbled in recent weeks with a damaging 2-2 draw at Man United and a 1-0 home defeat against Crystal Palace already denting their title hopes.
Liverpool also crashed out of the Europa League to Atalanta and Klopp’s final weeks in charge threatened to run out.
Carragher highlighted Mo Salah’s struggles in recent weeks as a factor, admitting that the club will be forced to consider his future as he enters the final year of his contract and with a new manager set to join the club.
“Mo Salah has looked a shadow of himself, especially after his injury,” Carragher said. “He is the Liverpool legend, the superstar, one of the all-time greats, but he has been very far from it.
“I think there is a real discussion with the new manager about what the future holds for Mo Salah as he only has one year left.”
Carragher also questioned Darwin Nunez’s future at Liverpool, suggesting the striker’s finishing remains too erratic for a team looking to win the game’s biggest prizes.
Carragher questioned the future of Mo Salah and Darwin Núñez at the club after the game
Carragher admitted the Reds may have to consider Salah’s future with one year left on his contract
“I think I’m at a stage now with Nunez where there’s a question to ask,” Carragher said.
“He gives everything, runs, causes problems, gets the odd goal and assists, but after two years, with Liverpool this season fighting for the title and those important games, you need him to score at Old Trafford, Goodison, at Atalanta.
‘This is not October or November, it is the commercial end of the title race.
“We’ve all been on teams where the first year we say he needs to speed up, but if you look at it now, I don’t think there’s a huge improvement.” I think after two years we have seen what he is: he can cause problems and be erratic in his finishing.
“I don’t think he’s enough to win the biggest trophies, so I think a big decision has to be made about him.”
Former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge echoed Carragher’s views on Liverpool’s forward line after the Reds failed to score for the third time in five games.
Sturridge believes the Reds are not as clinical as their previous attacking trio of Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, suggesting Liverpool’s next manager could have big decisions to make.
“Darwin today, his shot let him down. He’s one of those players who causes a lot of problems for defenders but he wasn’t clinical. Again, Diaz, same thing,” Sturridge said.
Daniel Sturridge believes Liverpool’s next manager could have to make big decisions in attack
The former Liverpool striker admitted that Núñez’s finish disappointed him again against Everton
“They weren’t at their best and for whatever reason they were missing that edge that you need to get to the next level.”
‘In this team you have a scoring winger like Salah, then DÃaz and Núñez, who is half and half. When Liverpool were successful, they had goalscorers like Mane and Salah and then the number 9, Firmino, would chip in with assists and goals. Now there is no continuity.
“When Salah doesn’t score, Jota is unfortunately not fit and he is the one who scores the goals. The new coach will have to find a way to unite these players or make an important decision.”