Liverpool secured a thrilling 4-2 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday, but former defender Jamie Carragher has expressed serious concerns about the Reds’ defending, saying they risk failing to retain the Premier League title if improvements are not made.
The match, marked by late drama, saw Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah score decisive goals, but Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo stole the spotlight with a quick double that exposed Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo had put Liverpool ahead, only for Semenyo to level the score with swift counter-attacks.
Carragher singled out centre-back Ibrahima Konaté, describing his performance as “really poor” and blaming him for both goals conceded.
“How many players were ahead of the ball when Liverpool were 2-1 up? Maybe eight. That can’t happen at this level. It’s absolutely shocking,” Carragher told Friday Night Football.
He also highlighted a worrying trend during Liverpool’s pre-season. Similar goals were conceded in defeats and draws against AC Milan, Athletic Club, and Crystal Palace in the Community Shield, suggesting the Reds remain highly vulnerable on transitions.
Manager Arne Slot admitted Liverpool were exposed on the counter-attack, citing the absence of Ryan Gravenberch and the lack of full sharpness from Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.
“Ryan was very important in these moments last season. He’ll be back next week, and Macca will be fitter. We will find the right balance,” Slot said.
Liverpool are also addressing defensive concerns in the transfer market. The club signed Parma centre-back Giovanni Leoni for £26 million and are reportedly pursuing Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Meanwhile, Konaté, whose contract expires next year, has attracted interest from Real Madrid.
Despite these moves, Carragher warned that bringing in new defenders alone will not solve the team’s problems.
“A new centre-back doesn’t fix the overall issue. With two attacking full-backs and a No 10 more focused on possession than defending, Liverpool are still too easy to attack. If this continues, they won’t win the league.”
The Reds will hope that the return of key midfielders and tactical adjustments will help them tighten their defence ahead of the new Premier League campaign.